A 25-year-old AI engineer has sparked buzz on Reddit after sharing that he recently reached a net worth of ₹1 crore. Despite achieving a milestone many dream of, he admitted that life feels unchanged, saying, “When it happened, I just stepped out for a smoke. Nothing in life changed—except me looking toward the next milestone.”
The engineer revealed that his journey began with freelancing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) at the age of 22. By 23, he secured a major US contract, which pushed his earnings to new heights. Now at 25, his portfolio stands at ₹49 lakh in mutual funds, ₹46 lakh in US stocks, ₹5 lakh in cryptocurrency, and around ₹25,000 in gold. Interestingly, he owns no property or vehicles, lives in a rented flat, and prefers using Uber or Rapido for travel.
While many congratulated him online, some encouraged him to focus on his health, especially after he admitted to being a regular smoker. A few even recommended Allen Carr’s The Easy Way to Stop Smoking as a method to quit. In response, he acknowledged the suggestion, saying he was hopeful of cutting down just as he did with alcohol.
The post also sparked debates on assets and lifestyle choices. Some argued cars and bikes should not be treated as investments since they lose value, while others highlighted their utility and enjoyment factor. The young engineer himself noted that high taxes and poor road conditions kept him from buying a vehicle in India, though he hopes to move to Dubai within the next couple of years.
Working over 60 hours a week, he admitted that his intense schedule might explain his smoking habit. Yet, he continues to focus on his next financial goals while balancing travel, with at least one domestic and one international trip each year.
For him, the ₹1 crore milestone is less about celebration and more about what comes next.
