cabanafrau
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 10, 2006
So the standard for determining responsible versus irresponsible financial preparation is -- I did things this way. Things turned out well. I have been able to build a sold financial cushion, therefore everyone has the same opportunity and should be able to achieve the same.
I don't say this blithely or with any ill intent, but I wonder how things would have shifted in OP's bulletproof lifestyle if he had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, cancer or ALS in 2002 and been unable to work going forward? Would his spouse have been able to pick right up, enter the work world and be able to take up the position as family breadwinner with no economic fallout? Don't forget that OP might have required assistance at home for daily living and there might have been children at the time who needed childcare as well. Both are incredibly expensive prospects on their own -- or require a spouse to remain at home to be the caregiver. I've seen cases where something like that happened to fiscally responsible people who found their entire world turned upside down and disrupted like someone shook a snowglobe. Despite their diligent efforts people in similar situations face economic ruin more often than not.
Simply because things have seemingly come up roses for someone who believes they've figured out all the angles and followed a certain plan does not mean that path will work for anyone else -- or that the roses won't suddenly be blighted by something completely unexpected, not reasonably anticipated and not the fault of the person suffering the outcome.
I don't say this blithely or with any ill intent, but I wonder how things would have shifted in OP's bulletproof lifestyle if he had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, cancer or ALS in 2002 and been unable to work going forward? Would his spouse have been able to pick right up, enter the work world and be able to take up the position as family breadwinner with no economic fallout? Don't forget that OP might have required assistance at home for daily living and there might have been children at the time who needed childcare as well. Both are incredibly expensive prospects on their own -- or require a spouse to remain at home to be the caregiver. I've seen cases where something like that happened to fiscally responsible people who found their entire world turned upside down and disrupted like someone shook a snowglobe. Despite their diligent efforts people in similar situations face economic ruin more often than not.
Simply because things have seemingly come up roses for someone who believes they've figured out all the angles and followed a certain plan does not mean that path will work for anyone else -- or that the roses won't suddenly be blighted by something completely unexpected, not reasonably anticipated and not the fault of the person suffering the outcome.