Is 5 Million the New Benchmark for First Wealth? Can You Save It by 30 Without Family Support?

Previously, many people considered saving 1 million TWD as their first financial milestone. However, with rising prices and housing costs, online definitions of a 'first bucket of wealth' have escalated. A 28-year-old netizen recently posted on Dcard's finance board, expressing surprise that while he thought saving 1 million TWD by age 30 was impressive, others now claim at least 3 million TWD is necessary, with some even suggesting 5 million TWD as the 2026 standard. He questioned: 'Are those with less than 3 million TWD considered financially modest?'

The original poster further calculated that with a 6% annual return, 1 million TWD generates about 5,000 TWD monthly, 3 million yields 15,000 TWD, and 5 million brings in 25,000 TWD. He believes that only around 5 million TWD does one truly feel the power of compound interest and the sensation of 'assets working for you.'

However, he admitted he still pays rent and only invests in ETFs like 00995A and 00878. He wonders if it's possible to reach 5 million TWD in net assets by 30 without family support or living at home to cut costs. 'Is it really impossible nowadays without family backing?'

The post drew responses from users sharing their wealth-building experiences. One user said he reached exactly 5 million TWD by age 30 without family help. Starting in university, he self-taught finance, saved from part-time jobs after living expenses, and once he secured six months of emergency funds, opened a brokerage account to invest regularly in ETFs, later expanding into U.S. stocks and tech shares. He believes it's 'not impossible, just requires more effort and a bit of luck.'

Another 27-year-old revealed his assets exceed 6.2 million TWD, accumulated through salary and investments. Though living at home, he pays for all meals. Even accounting for saved rent, his assets remain near 5.9 million TWD. He attributes success to 'income growth, expense control, and investing,' emphasizing the method isn't complex—long-term discipline is the real challenge.

Some commenters noted that rent, salary levels, industry, and living at home greatly affect savings speed. One remarked, 'Those with less than 10 million TWD are still modest earners,' while another joked about only saving 3 million TWD by 36. Others pointed out that 1 million TWD buys less than ever, making long-term investing essential to outpace inflation.

Some suggested using credit loans, stock collateral, or leveraged investing to accelerate wealth growth. While these strategies can amplify gains in rising markets, they also magnify losses and repayment pressure during downturns, making them unsuitable for most investors.

According to Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) data, the 2024 median annual salary for industrial and service sector employees was 546,000 TWD. Thus, 5 million TWD equals about 9.2 years of income—before deducting rent, food, and transportation. The 2024 household survey shows average disposable income per household is 1.165 million TWD, with annual spending at 889,000 TWD, leaving about 277,000 TWD in annual savings. At this rate, saving 5 million TWD would take approximately 18 years. Therefore, achieving this by age 30 depends not only on savings discipline and investment performance but also on income level, housing costs, and family resources.