This is my 'Gold Star' post here at the Motley Fool. (5000 posts)



I came to the Fool to learn budgeting, investing and getting out of debt. I wasn't in serious trouble but we had had some setbacks over the previous few years and we needed to get back on track. I lurked on 'LBYM' for a while, coasted through some great basic lessons on budgeting, investing and getting out of debt. I lurked for awhile on the social/political boards then one day while I was poking around I fell across this board.



I'd been considering quitting for a couple of months, did a couple of one day and two day test runs. I began lurking here intensely, reading the FAQs and back copies of BeccaPooka's newsletters and watching the back and forth between the members. One day (I don't know what I was thinking) someone posted something and I responded. When I hit <submit> I thought Oh S***, I had come out of lurk mode and entered the QS world. A couple of members welcomed me asked a few questions, when I said I hadn't quit yet they said that's allright just keep posting. That New Years Eve I stopped smoking for the last time, and started posting regularly.



When I did my 1000th post here I did a little ROI (Return on Investment, this is a financial website you know.), so to continue my report after 4000 more posts.



from SilkQuit.Org

Four years, eleven months, 16 hours, 17 minutes and 16 seconds. 53870 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,733.79. Life saved: 26 weeks, 5 days, 1 hour, 10 minutes..



So if I were paying the Fool at their annual membership rates ($29.95) for the past 5 years my total cash layout would have been $149.75.



The money saved from NOT smoking is $6,733.79.



My ROI equals $44.87, (not shabby)



If that were all, the Fool would be and excellent investment. But it doesn't take into account the dress shirts I haven't had to replace because of burn holes, the cars that got a better trade in value because 'never been smoked in' and no burned upolstery, the last home sale which captured a premium price in a down market because 'never been smoked in', the 26 weeks of life that have been saved, etc.



It definitely does not take into account the people I have connected with at the Fool. The person who fell off the wagon so often until the day they didn't who showed me tenacity, the guy who always wants to stay on topic who shows me focus, the poster whose life is a series of roller coaster emotions and still manages to remain smoke free they show me stamina. And everyone else who keep me plugging along.



Thank you all.



Ed