Crete211

Was doing the math and it was staggering....

1. A brand new luxury vehicle paid off in 4 years.
2. A boat
3. A nice long vacation for my wife and I...

List could keep going.

What could/would you have bought?

Opivotal

I would've saved the money.

Yankee73

A modest house.

If I had never drank or smoked: a modest house and football team...

Eauchiche

If I hadn't drank, I would not have lost a business, house and 3 collector cars. If I had taken the money I wasted on booze for 30 years, the mortgage could have been paid off.

Austin4Wyo

I doubt I would have bought "stuff," but I would have done more interesting stuff. Concerts, races, traveling, finished an education.

As of now, my primary financial long term goals center on proper retirement investing and property, with a reasonable cash reserve.

Adulting is a pain.

BellJar7

I've wondered this as well, Crete. I've only been drinking for three years, so I guess it wouldn't be enough for a house, but it would probably be enough for a vacation for our family. Makes me feel awful thinking about it.

Midton

If I had continued drinking I could have bought the farm . Seriously though, I've been drinking for over 30 years and reckon I could be enjoying an early retirement.

Soberwolf

If I didn't drink & done cocaine I have no idea where I would be I know where I am today like right now & I accept that

HCE

A nice vacation to a faraway land.

Ken33xx

Not sure about the money.

But if I had gotten sober say 22 or 23 when it was becoming apparent I had a problem with booze/drugs who knows where I might have ended up career-wise.

soulpower89

It's been 6 years, so probably enough... maybe enough to get me out of my dumb travel debt from this summer, and pay off some of my student loan. I spend like 20/week. SIGH.

Solushun

I suppose it would've been many things but unfortunately I had to lose them all or I would've kept pushing my limits. I had two homes. Would've had one in San Francisco. Both went into foreclosure. I would've not feared creditors since that became a defect through my substance abuses. I would've gotten a degree & focused in school. The seats would've not been empty at thanksgiving and Christmas and their birthdays and I would've been punctual to work School etc and been present at other events. I would've not endangered other drivers and pedestrians and I would've not gotten into jail for hitting people.
On the positive note, I'm grateful for not repeating my behaviors and for my daily living amends from not taking a drink/drug.

alphaomega

....my soul back.

DanielRyan

If i hadn't drink, i wouldn't have lost my soul lover,my girlfriend.

Lockyboy

That is my biggest regret as well DanielRyan, the money is immaterial compared to losing the one l love

LiveInPeace

Ugh. I won't give my ego the luxury of giving it one more thing to beat myself up about to even think about this question.

The money spent foolishly on my addiction and owe amends for was unfortunately what kept me alive while my spirit was painfully and slowly dying on the inside. Now that I'm in recovery, I make better choices and alcohol, etc. is no longer my solution to my alcoholism.

Dee74

No idea

What I have now is better than money tho, yeah?

D

least

I don't know what I could have bought, but I know now that I'm sober, my bills get paid on time.

Imnotalonjusblu

Can you buy peace of mind?

least

You can't buy it, but I found it in sobriety.