I can partially estimate how different my life would have been if I had made a few early choices differently. My financial problems likely started back in college, picking the wrong major. I should have just gone in the direction I was good at, rather than listening to discouraging words from family. If I had done that, perhaps I would have landed some better, higher paying jobs.
If I could go back even earlier than college and make the childhood abuse go away, I most certainly would have ended up a more stable and successful person overall. If I had a better sense of security within myself earlier on, the sky would have been the limit with me because I was intelligent but I was always struggling with confidence, depression, and chronically low self-worth. Without such mental health issues, professional and financial success would have been likely. And at the very least, more stable, functional relationships where I could have trusted people more. Sadly, this is not the case now. I have absolutely nothing to show for my time on earth and am a living failure.