What would you do?

Did you know that your 40’s is the dangerous decade for onset of chronic health conditions?  For most families, this is the peak decade of home-building, child-raising, and carving out a career. It is a busy and stressful time so it is no surprise that in the fifth decade of life, the engine splutters or one of the other vital body systems needs attention.
 
So what would do for money if your health or your partner’s health failed? How would you school your kids and pay the mortgage if one of you was laid up for months, and even off work for a couple more years to recover?
 
Heart problems, stroke or a battle with cancer would do it. So would a compound arm or leg fracture as a result of an accident.
 
I know from experience that most families can’t go more than a few weeks without income. Every cancer survivor that I’ve known has had an average 2-year, $20,000 out-of-pocket struggle, often without income (i.e …. who thinks about work when diagnosed with cancer?). And that’s with top hospital cover in place. You see It’s the long period of after-hospital treatment, care and rehab that costs you money.
 
I can also tell you from my own experience that it doesn’t take a heart attack to floor you as far as work goes. Heart arrhythmia and a slowly deteriorating aortic valve kept me breathless for the better part of 5 years. It’s really difficult to work when all you want to do is lie down. Two catheter ablations finally fixed the electrical circuit and a bit later, a valve replacement fixed the plumbing and life is great again, But surgery was the last resort after years of trying many other non-invasive treatments.
Cheers
Gary
M: 0408 756 531
E: gary@garyweigh.com