I got myself in a situation a couple of years back that I wouldn’t wish on anyone; and the fact of the matter is that I tell everyone I meet my story so that they can think long and hard about the choices they make. You never know if taking the easy (or cheaper) way out today is going to cost you tenfold in the future. That’s exactly what happened to me.

Several years ago I was just starting out in my professional career, having recently graduated from college. My education was pursued a bit later than most as I had gotten married and had two children before I went back to school and got my degree. When I was offered my job I was happy to accept it, as it was everything I was looking for professionally and offered the salary and benefits that were so important in helping to sustain my household. Of course my husband and I had thought nothing of purchasing life insurance after we were married – and even of increasing the amounts on the policies when we had the kids – but we were less inclined to purchase disability insurance. We were managing to pay our bills with our salaries but the truth was that we just didn’t want to spend any more money on insurance; and we honestly felt like it was something that we wouldn’t need. Boy, were we wrong.

Approximately thirteen months after starting my new job I was in a terrible car accident. It was no one’s fault really; just the result of a dark, rainy night, poor visibility, and slippery roads. I broke several bones, suffered head trauma, and required months of physical therapy. My husband and I were so focused on dealing with the physical repercussions of my situation that we only turned an obligatory eye toward our finances when it became necessary.

Which it soon very much did.

In the next post, I’ll continue my story of what the decision not to purchase disability insurance meant for our family.

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