6 Practical Precautions to Take for an Easier Life

We’ve all been there: life’s going by as normal, and then suddenly – you’re hit with the unexpected. Nobody plans for things to go wrong in their futures, because we’d all hope that they wouldn’t do. But actually, taking relevant steps to prepare for life-altering events might just be the smartest thing you can do.

Here are 6 practical precautions for an easier life, should you need them in the future:

1.       Take out health insurance

The reality of growing older is that you never know when illness might strike. There’s also that unlikely-but-still-possible risk of getting into an accident and becoming injured. If you don’t have health insurance, finding the funds to pay for the medical treatment you’ll require could be impossible. Save yourself the future stress and find yourself a health insurance deal before it’s too late.

2.       Carry a spare key

Your house keys are probably the most used item in your handbag, which means they have a much higher chance of being stolen or misplaced. Carry a spare key with you at all times, in a safe place that you’ll never move it from, or give it to a neighbour or family member you can trust. That way, if you’re suddenly locked out of home, you’ve got an easy solution to fall back on. Buy key blanks for your home if you don’t already have spare keys to hand.

3.       Keep emergency savings

Life is full of surprising payments, and you’ll really benefit from being financially prepared for them. Whether you’ve completely forgotten about your brother’s 30th birthday, or you’re suddenly hit with excruciating tooth pain, if you’ve got some savings in place for such an emergency, you won’t feel the financial repercussions anywhere near as strongly.

4.       Get a prenup

It’s pretty morbid to make preparations for divorce maybe even before you and your partner are married, but prenuptial agreements, known as prenups for short, might just save you when you never thought you’d need saving. Although divorce rates in the US are dropping, a prenup can offer assurance that if your marriage does come to an end for any reason, you can protect your assets and avoid complications.

5.       Download a mobile payment app

There’s nothing more embarrassing than doing a full food shop before reaching the till and realising you haven’t brought your bank card with you. Chances are, though, even if you’ve forgotten your wallet, there’s one thing you do have: your phone. Many apps now allow you to link up your bank account and pay through your phone at till checkouts, by simply scanning your phone instead of your bank card. Definitely worth considering if you’re the forgetful type.

6.       Insure your car

If you don’t already have car insurance, in almost all states, that technically means you’re driving illegally, but law aside, it’s a very good idea to have some form of insurance anyway. Vehicle accidents are all too common, and car insurance can cover your expenses if you find yourself involved in a collision, including damage to your car and injuries you may have sustained.