Erin Bui shares a powerful story that will bring tears to your eyes and explain to your why life insurance matters to a single parent. If you care for anyone in your life that depends on you, life insurance cannot wait another day. Because you may not have another day.
By Erin Bui
Planning for the future takes quite a lot of willpower because let’s face it: humans are lazy and we tend to not get responsible until the very last minute or it’s too late. But we know this is a real hazard because no one knows what is going happen in the future.
But let me ask you this: Are you willing to delay your responsibility and continue to be lazy, if your family is on the line?
Why Life Insurance Matters To A Single Parent: The Tragedy of My Aunt Mary
There was a tragic event that happened to my family two years ago. I would like to share this with you so that a family out there can avoid the mistakes made.
I had to watch my cousin Steven give up his dreams, careers and goals to become a registered nurse. He was excited about this career path because he loved helping people and he could provide financial stability for his mother, my Aunt Mary, who had worked so hard in life to raise Steven and his four younger brothers and sister.
However, in one quick moment, his dreams were gone due to the selfish actions of a monster.
My Aunt Mary died suddenly when she was mugged on her way going to home from work. She was stabbed in the stomach and left there to die. Ever since that event happened, I have learned to value life more and more each day. We never know what will happen next and we can’t take a moment for granted.
Life Insurance Matters – The Consequences of Not Having One is Too Much
Now that my aunt is gone, my cousin Steven is suffering. He has to pay the bills such as gas, water, utilities, the mortgage, groceries and raise his younger siblings. I have seen Steven stay awake late at night looking at bills, freaking out about how he can pay these costs and care for his brothers and sisters. His mother, Aunt Mary, did not leave much money behind. Steven inherited only debt and responsibility. So now he is working two jobs and no longer has time to go to school because he is financially unstable.
There are always the “what ifs” like “What if this happened instead?” or “What if Aunt Mary did this before she died?” This still haunts us today. I remember my aunt was talking to her sister (my mother) about getting life insurance for her family a few months before her death. She knew the area where she started a new job was unsafe, and my aunt worried about how one day, she may not make it back home to her family. This flashback gives me goosebumps. However, the tragic events struck before she took any action.
If my aunt could predict the future and prevent that event from ever happening or plan ahead for her children, Steven would not be the situation. I know that is what she would have wanted. If she got life insurance, her oldest son would not have to give up his career goals and dreams. He would’ve been financially stable enough to care for his brothers and sister and pay the bills. But Aunt Mary cannot turn back time.
Take Action Now: Use Our Life Insurance Calculator to Start
We have a life insurance calculator available here. You just need to take a little time to figure out your needs and go through the process. Planning for the future is important, so you must be prepared. Because regrets are painful and costly to everyone. RIP Aunt Mary. You are loved and missed.
If you would like to learn more about why life insurance matters, we have more resources on the topic here.
Erin Bui is the Mangus Finance Circles specialist based in Riverside, CA, focused on helping specific communities, such as seniors and special needs families with financial education and awareness.