In the summer months, our oldest son, Michael, takes half of the day off on Mondays to work around the house with my husband. Since my husband is off on Monday, they work on projects either here at our house or at his home. Projects such as fixing leaks, fixing doors, outside work, etc. are always on their to-do lists. Each week, they make plans and sometimes the plans they make are accomplished, but other weeks, plans change.
A few weeks ago, they had planned to work on a few outside projects since the weather was really nice. Then, my son’s truck had a few issues that needed attention. They turned their attention to that and at every turn, plans changed.
First, the part they needed had to be ordered and it wouldn’t be in until late in the afternoon. Then, we received a call from my Mother in law asking my husband to stop in. She had just returned from a trip to Canada to visit her sister and wanted to let him know how the trip went.
The visit with my Mother in law lasted awhile and they decided to go out for brunch. In the end, the whole morning didn’t go as expected, but the change of plans still resulted in time for my husband and our son to spend time together.
The truck was fixed by the end of the day.
It resulted in saving hundreds of dollars and as a bonus, they were able to spend time with my Mother in law slowing down long enough to cherish her company.
In 2003, changes in our family happened when my husband was injured at work. He was out of work for three years and changes to our finances, our lifestyle, and most importantly, changes to the health of my husband went on for years. Those changes still happen today due to that injury, but with every change, we learn how to adapt.
One of the most important aspects of that experience was realizing how important short term disability is. Without it, the situation would have been so much worse.
Last fall, another injury would put my husband out of work for four months. This time, it was an injury that happened while he was working here at our home.
He ruptured a disc in his neck leaving him unable to use his right arm and hand.
Again, short term disability saved us.
According to the Council for Disability Awareness, the average worker has a 30% chance of becoming disabled. Whether the disability lasts days, weeks, months, or even years, change in our plans will result.
“It’s not our disability, it’s our ability that counts.” – Chris Burke
You have the ability to protect yourself with your greatest asset. That asset is not your home, your car, or your boat. Your greatest asset is your ability to work and produce a paycheck.
Your greatest asset is preparing for a change in plans because what we planned for ourselves isn’t always what life has planned for us.
Terri Trepanier is the owner of Balanced Care Health and Supplemental Insurance and a licensed insurance consultant and broker with Associated Brokers. Licensed in both Maine and NH, her specialty is working with small businesses, individuals, and families with their health and life insurance needs. She is certified to offer health plans both on and off the exchange and is contracted with every health insurance company that offers plans in both New Hampshire and Maine. Her other passion is assisting Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare Supplemental, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage plans. Terri has seen firsthand the importance of insurance products and how they help families. Her goal with Balanced Care is to “Insure Security and Peace of Mind One Family at a Time”.