Real Paths to $100K
Anonymous, detailed stories from Bay Area millionaires on exactly how they built their wealth, milestone by milestone.
The Path to $1 Million
See how different professionals in the Bay Area reached the million-dollar milestone at various ages
Select Career Path:
Software Engineer
The engineering path in tech companies, from junior developer to technical leadership roles.
$100K
Milestone
Average Age
27
Range: 25-30
Top Strategies
- Maximizing 401k match
- Stock options and RSUs
- Living with roommates in high-cost areas
$250K
Milestone
Average Age
30
Range: 28-33
Top Strategies
- Strategic job hopping every 2-3 years
- Specialized skills development
- Index fund investing
$500K
Milestone
Average Age
33
Range: 31-36
Top Strategies
- Moving into senior or staff engineering roles
- Early-stage startup equity
- Real estate investment
$1M
Milestone
Average Age
38
Range: 34-42
Top Strategies
- Leadership or architect positions
- Startup exits
- Investment portfolio diversification
How It Works
millionaires.fyi provides transparent insights into real wealth-building journeys
Anonymous Stories
Real millionaires share their wealth-building journeys without revealing their identities.
Milestone Tracking
Follow clear financial milestones from $0 to $1M+ with actionable steps.
Verified Insights
All stories are verified to ensure authenticity while maintaining anonymity.
Featured Success Stories
Learn from those who've already achieved financial success in the Bay Area
From H1B Engineer to Millionaire in 8 Years
Started as a mid-level engineer at a Series A startup that grew to unicorn status. Maximized equity grants and negotiated aggressively during job changes. Invested heavily in index funds and bought a condo that appreciated significantly.
Immigrant Restaurant Owner to Millionaire
Immigrated to the US with $5,000 and restaurant experience. Started as a line cook, saved aggressively to open a small restaurant. Gradually expanded to multiple locations, eventually purchasing the buildings. Combined food business profits with strategic real estate investments.
DACA Recipient to E-commerce Millionaire
Came to the US as a child, faced limited opportunities due to undocumented status. After DACA provided work authorization, leveraged digital skills to build e-commerce business. Started with dropshipping, evolved to private label products, eventually creating a recognizable brand.
Get the Weekly Millionaire Insights
Every week we share exclusive stories, strategies, and financial milestones from Bay Area millionaires.