A young Meta software engineer has publicly detailed his FIRE journey on Business Insider's "Cost of Living" series: earning $306,500 per year, targeting retirement at 30 with $1.6 million. But a tour of his Bay Area apartment reveals a spartan lifestyle — no couch, no TV, a metal cabinet as a nightstand.
$306K Salary, Only $4K Monthly Take-Home
Raymond Zeng works 40 to 50 hours weekly as a Meta software engineer. His total compensation of $306,500 includes base salary, stock vesting, and performance bonus. Here's where the money goes: $24,500 into his 401(k) employee contribution, plus after-tax contributions hitting the IRS annual limit of $72,000 — one-sixth of his annual income. He also maxes out a Roth IRA and HSA. The remainder goes into a brokerage account split 80% U.S. stocks and 20% international. At month end, only $4,000 lands in his bank account — equivalent to what a part-time barista in San Francisco might earn.
Car-Free in Silicon Valley, $0–$30 Monthly Transport
Zeng moved from Dallas to the Bay Area in July 2025, paying $2,600 monthly rent (including community amenities) — nearly $1,000 less than comparable units closer to the office. He lives a five-minute walk from a BART station, commuting by train and Meta shuttle. His monthly transport cost: $0 to $30. He also had no car during two years in Dallas. Grocery budget: $300 per month. Dining out: $75 (usually unspent). Breakfast and lunch are subsidized by Meta; he cooks dinner at home. His three non-negotiable housing criteria: within walking distance of a coffee shop, a bubble tea store, and an Asian supermarket.
Hobbies: Credit Card Points, Travel, and the Furry Community
Zeng spends $400 to $500 monthly on hobbies: credit card optimization (paying about $1,000 annual fees for sign-up bonuses that yield business-class flights), travel, and the furry community. He openly identifies as an active furry member, saving for a fursuit priced at $4,000 to $7,000. His character is a protogen, a half-mechanical canine. Showing his handmade fur head in progress, he said: "The furry community is a long-marginalized group. Many people worry about doxxing. I just happen to be the idiot who decided to go public."
Retire at 30: $1.6 Million, the 4% Rule
Zeng built a Google Sheets tracker he updates monthly, tracking income, expenses, taxes, and projected investment returns. The core formula follows the FIRE movement's 4% rule: annual spending multiplied by 25, allowing a 4% yearly withdrawal indefinitely. Because he plans to retire before 30, he adds extra buffers. His spreadsheet projects net worth exceeding $2 million at 30 and $7 million at 40. After 40, the "income" row is blank — he won't need a job. Post-retirement, he might take on interesting freelance projects, eventually move back to Los Angeles, and possibly start a business. His advice: "First build the life you want, then save for it."
Back in his bare apartment with the metal file cabinet nightstand, this is not a story of "$306K but miserable." His health insurance costs $17 monthly; he exercises in the building gym or dances at furry conventions. Of his $306,500 paycheck, only $4,000 fuels his present — the rest buys time after 30.