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Being an adult is hard. There are bills to pay, jobs to keep, family to take care of, and sometimes there are unexpected surprises that come up that can put you in debt. But what if you could plan for these surprises? Did you know you can take preventative steps right now, like debt protection? It may seem impossible, but it’s easier than you think.
Planning for the Unexpected
What constitutes an unexpected surprise in life will be different for everyone, although there are some common situations. These surprises are typically unpleasant, like losing a job, a death in the family, or a serious injury. Of course, maybe your surprise is good, like a new baby after you thought you were done having kids.
But the surprises do come. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 in 4 unemployed Americans were jobless for 27 weeks or longer. No matter the situation, you need a plan to handle it. While it may seem hard to plan for these situations, there are things you put in place to ensure you can survive the surprise without much difficulty.
Ways to Put a Plan in Place
There are many different kinds of ways to plan for the future, including surprise situations. Some of the most common methods are discussed below.
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is a way to plan for surprises. With this fund, you create a stash of cash to use if you need extra money. It is typically equal to three months’ pay but can be any amount you deem necessary and built up over time.
Pay Down Debt
If you can afford to, paying down debt can help free up funds for when an emergency comes up. It also enables you to get out of the debt cycle, putting you in a better position to handle surprise situations that come up.
Debt Protection
Debt protection is a type of insurance that protects your family if you lose your job or were to die and allows payments on the loan you are protecting to temporarily stop or even cease altogether, depending on the situation. Fees for the insurance are typically added to your debt payments, and the amount of the debt determines the fee. This is helpful because it gives a sense of security for life’s surprises.
The Bottom Line
There is no one right answer for how to handle the plan you put into place. You need to do your research and find the solution that best fits your situation. It’s a relief to know that there are ways to plan ahead so that things don’t catch you by surprise as much as they would if you had no backup plan.
