Elon Musk, the world’s richest billionaire and CEO of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, recently made headlines with a surprising revelation about his frugal lifestyle during his college years. While attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Musk claimed he lived on just $1 a day. This startling statement offers a glimpse into the mindset and determination of the entrepreneur long before his rise to global fame and fortune.

Musk shared that his extreme budgeting was part of a personal experiment to see if he could live on minimal resources while still pursuing his dreams. “I wanted to see if I could manage to survive on very little so that fear of not being able to make ends meet wouldn’t stop me from pursuing my goals,” he explained in an interview. His approach involved buying bulk quantities of cheap, calorie-dense food like hot dogs, pasta, and oranges, which allowed him to stretch his meager budget.

This frugality wasn’t born out of necessity alone; Musk was testing his limits. By challenging himself to live with so little, he believed he could prove to himself that financial insecurity wouldn’t be an obstacle in his quest to achieve greatness. “I figured, if I could live on $1 a day and still be okay, I could dedicate everything else—time, effort, and eventually money—to chasing big dreams,” Musk said.

Musk’s time at Queen’s University marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a tech mogul. He later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where his entrepreneurial spirit began to take shape. Despite his limited budget, Musk never wavered in his focus on education and innovation, laying the groundwork for his future ventures.

This revelation resonates with the ethos Musk often champions: taking calculated risks and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. His early willingness to push boundaries, even in something as basic as daily living expenses, highlights the mindset that would later define his approach to business and technology.

Public reactions to Musk’s statement have been mixed. Many praised his discipline and determination, seeing it as an inspiring tale of resilience. Others, however, have pointed out that while admirable, this level of frugality may not be practical or even possible for everyone, particularly for those with families or additional responsibilities.

Regardless of the debate, Musk’s $1-a-day experiment sheds light on the principles that have guided him throughout his life. His story illustrates the value of adaptability, self-reliance, and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term comforts.

Today, as Musk oversees groundbreaking projects aimed at revolutionizing industries from electric vehicles to space exploration, his college experiment serves as a reminder of his humble beginnings and his willingness to endure discomfort to achieve his ambitions. For aspiring entrepreneurs and dreamers, Musk’s journey stands as proof that sometimes the most extraordinary success stories start with simple, disciplined choices—even if it’s learning how to thrive on just $1 a day.