Kevin Xu, a social media user and tech entrepreneur, shared a tweet outlining his personal finances that quickly drew attention and sparked wide-ranging debate around wealth, spending habits, and financial priorities.
In the original post, Xu listed his balances as: $9.8 million in a 401(k), $3,000.12 in checking, and $296.05 in savings. He followed it with a brief exchange:
"Wife – Let's go on vacation?
Me – Can't, we're broke."
He ended the tweet with: "Few understand."
Tech background and net worth disclosure
Xu is the CEO of Alpha AI and has previously worked at Stripe and YouTube. A graduate of Stanford and a participant in Y Combinator’s Summer 2013 batch, he also publicly lists his net worth—currently $11,046,283.88—in his X (formerly Twitter) bio.
Follow-up post and growing assets
On October 4, he posted an update:
"Still no vacation but crossed $11M today!"
The follow-up drew fresh engagement, as users debated the balance between building long-term financial security and enjoying the present. While some praised his discipline, others questioned the logic of withholding spending on leisure, despite a growing net worth.
Online reactions: from critique to cautious agreement
The tweet and its update triggered a wave of commentary.
One user wrote:
"How low does your self-esteem have to be to constantly tell the world how much money you have in your posts and bio?"
Xu replied: "Wrong. Technically I own $3,296.17 liquid cash."
The user replied:
"If it’s in a bank u don’t own it until u withdraw it. Bet u don’t own any bitcoin, which is worse."
In response to a comment questioning why he doesn’t enjoy life while he still has energy—“You could die at 50”—Xu wrote:
"Hard to enjoy life with only $5M (after tax and early penalty withdrawal).
Need at least $20M to really enjoy life."
Crypto investor Nic Carter replied in agreement but added:
"I agree, but as someone in a similar situation I would recommend splurging and going to the Auberge every now and again."
In the original post, Xu listed his balances as: $9.8 million in a 401(k), $3,000.12 in checking, and $296.05 in savings. He followed it with a brief exchange:
"Wife – Let's go on vacation?
Me – Can't, we're broke."
He ended the tweet with: "Few understand."
401k $9.8mil
— Kevin Xu (@imkevinxu) September 28, 2025
Checking $3000
Savings $296
Wife - Let's go on vacation?
Me - Can't, we're broke.
Few understand. pic.twitter.com/yreMjAtPvA
Tech background and net worth disclosure
Xu is the CEO of Alpha AI and has previously worked at Stripe and YouTube. A graduate of Stanford and a participant in Y Combinator’s Summer 2013 batch, he also publicly lists his net worth—currently $11,046,283.88—in his X (formerly Twitter) bio.
Follow-up post and growing assets
On October 4, he posted an update:
"Still no vacation but crossed $11M today!"
The follow-up drew fresh engagement, as users debated the balance between building long-term financial security and enjoying the present. While some praised his discipline, others questioned the logic of withholding spending on leisure, despite a growing net worth.
Online reactions: from critique to cautious agreement
The tweet and its update triggered a wave of commentary.
One user wrote:
"How low does your self-esteem have to be to constantly tell the world how much money you have in your posts and bio?"
Xu replied: "Wrong. Technically I own $3,296.17 liquid cash."
The user replied:
"If it’s in a bank u don’t own it until u withdraw it. Bet u don’t own any bitcoin, which is worse."
In response to a comment questioning why he doesn’t enjoy life while he still has energy—“You could die at 50”—Xu wrote:
"Hard to enjoy life with only $5M (after tax and early penalty withdrawal).
Need at least $20M to really enjoy life."
Crypto investor Nic Carter replied in agreement but added:
"I agree, but as someone in a similar situation I would recommend splurging and going to the Auberge every now and again."
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