This week, DD’s Finance columnist Shona Chambers from John McColgan Financial Services looks at planning for the unexpected and protecting your family.
WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MAY UPSET SOME READERS AND, TO BE QUITE HONEST, I DON’T CARE!
Let’s face it folks, NO-ONE will give a hoot about your family when you die!
You might not want to think about it, because nobody wants to think they might die prematurely.
We live in an era that has new drugs and treatments for almost everything. With all these scientific advances, we’d like to think we’re going to live forever!
But as the song says, everyone’s gonna die someday! And while you might not like to think about it, your day could be sooner than you think.
Seriously, folks, if you really care about your family, you NEED to think about and plan for the unexpected.
How many times have we seen the troops rally around with food, offers of support, and help when someone is sick?
You know the drill. One day, everyone is there and then, when the wake and funeral are over, the busyness and offers of help that kept everyone going during the illness trail off into silence. Sometimes, you’ll hear the occasional ‘Hello, how are you all doing now?’ or ‘Let me know if you need anything.’
And then…. nothing!
Let’s face it, even people with the best of intentions cannot you help out indefinitely. They have their own families, lives and jobs to get on with.
It is YOUR job as a parent, spouse, or partner to make plans now for your family’s long-term future.
YOU are the one who needs to make sure YOUR family is protected financially.
I hope you’re starting to feel a bit uncomfortable now!
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How would your family pay their mortgage or rent if you were seriously ill or if you suddenly passed away?
- What would YOU or your family do if your income suddenly stopped due to illness?
- Could you and your family realistically pay your bills and future expenses (such as educating your children) if you couldn’t work due to illness, or had passed away?
And don’t give me or yourself the answer that you’ll get social welfare!
Do you honestly think that at a time when your expenses are going up due to illness or death that social welfare will be enough to keep you and family going?
You can make life easier for both you and your family by making the plan now!
If you are reading this and you don’t have a plan in place, you need to talk to me! Period!
And as I have written before:
PLEASE, JUST STOP WITH THE EXCUSES AND DO YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY A FAVOUR!
Pick up the phone, dial (074) 9124366, and make an appointment to see me. I won’t bite. Promise!
Tags: