A computer science graduate from the University of California, Ethan Nguonly completed his undergraduate degree in just two years and embarked on his career at Google in December 2021.
Nguonly’s unique approach to managing his finances involves a frugal approach to daily expenses. He takes advantage of Google’s generous perks, such as free breakfast and lunch provided at least three times a week. These perks help him cut down on everyday expenses, allowing him to allocate more of his income toward his long-term financial goals.
At the age of 22, this Google tech professional has set an ambitious objective for himself: to retire by the age of 35 with a substantial savings of Rs 41 crore (equivalent to $5 million). A recent CNBC report shed light on his financial journey and his dedication to achieving this impressive financial milestone.
Ethan Nguonly’s financial education began early in life, thanks to his parents’ guidance. They emphasized the importance of investing money rather than simply saving it in a bank account, as they believed that over time, savings accounts would depreciate in value. This valuable lesson instilled in him a passion for investing from a young age.
“(My parents) really explained it to me well. If you leave your money here (in a savings account), over time, it’s going to become worthless,” he recalled. “They said that you should really learn to invest it into something.”
Nguonly, a computer science graduate from the University of California, expedited his undergraduate studies, enabling him to avoid incurring student debt. Following his graduation, he secured a position at Qualtrics, a prominent software company. Simultaneously, he pursued a Master’s degree in information and data science, successfully completing the program in August 2022.
Since joining Google in December 2021, Nguonly has enjoyed an impressive annual income of approximately Rs 1.6 crore, which includes bonuses. He has diligently invested Rs 1.1 crore ($135,000) across various retirement and investment accounts, as well as in real estate properties located in California and Florida. Furthermore, he has plans to expand his real estate portfolio in the future.
Reflecting on his early experiences with finance, Nguonly shared, “When I was younger, the main thing I was thinking about was, ‘All this money keeps getting bigger, keeps growing, and I’m not doing any work for this.’ This really exposed me to the idea that my investments could make me money instead of me actually having to actively work for it.”
In early 2022, Nguonly made his first foray into real estate investment by acquiring a property in Riverview, Florida. Approximately a year later, he made another significant investment by purchasing his primary residence in La Palma, California.
“I love living in Orange County, where the sunshine never ends, and the beaches are stunning,” he exclaimed.
While Nguonly is conservative in his spending habits when it comes to daily necessities, he allows himself to indulge in one of his passions—traveling. He allocates funds to explore various global destinations, taking three-to-four trips each year.
Ethan Nguonly’s disciplined approach to finances, dedication to investing, and thoughtful real estate investments bring him closer to achieving his ambitious goal of retiring by the age of 35 with a substantial savings of Rs 41 crore. His journey serves as an inspiration to those looking to attain financial independence and security at an early age.
