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Yes. "Retired" when I was 33 with about $4.5m (now 35). Posting under a throwaway account, because I'm a private guy.

Made money off being the 100th engineer at a company which had a huge IPO ($2m+), and some good real estate transactions ($1m+). Plus my wife is very successful in her own right and added a fair bit.

Just to put it in context, I wasn't a total lottery winner. I spent 80 hrs/week working throughout my 20s, and had extremely challenging positions at some top companies. The company that IPO'd recruited me, and I was able to get a relatively healthy equity package, plus about $250k annual comp.

It felt good, though it only became real once the IPO lockup ended, and I saw my brokerage balance.

I'm very happy. I have a much quieter life than before I had money. I spend a lot of time with my kids and wife, as well as do almost all the cooking and some house chores (my wife still works). I get to spend about 3 work days a week coding stuff I want to build with some moderate success so far.

Once my kids are a bit older, I will startup.

In contrast to one of the other answers here, I really haven't been to a bar or club since I made money. But this may also coincide with me having children around that time.


> Made money off being the 100th engineer at a company which had a huge IPO ($2m+)

If you don't mind, can I ask for clarification: I'm assuming that the "$2m+" was your stock option worth, and the company itself IPO'd for a much larger number (a few billions)?


yes, $2m+ was my take after taxes (california).

Yes, company IPO'd for many billions.


Sounds like LNKD or FB (don't mean to pry :) -- congrats!


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