Because you can't predict the future ...

[coppertop]

I am thinking about this because of a childhood friend who was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer.  She is the breadwinner of her household; her husband has never been much of an earner, but he is a spender.  They are deeply in debt and I don't know if she will even be able to go back to work ever.  On top of all the stress of this major, terrible illness, they now also have financial issues piling up.  So, so sad on many different levels. 

People always think, "I'll buy this now and will save up the money and pay it off later."  But later might not come for them for a number of reasons. 

[asauer]

So sad for your friend but very true.  I actually received my mustachian wakeup call when my younger sister was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 24.  I though- "shit.  this can happen at any random moment.  I'd better get my act together!"

[MsSindy]

Def sad - and the body has a tough time healing itself when it's all stressed out

[sjc0816]

My brother was also diagnosed with cancer at age 37. We had been living extremely frugally prior to that and, if anything, I started loosening up a little after his diagnosis.  I was pretty uptight about finances and, while we still prioritize saving, we spend more on experiences now than we did before...because you never know. I think there has to be a balance.

[HipGnosis]

My brother was also diagnosed with cancer at age 37. We had been living extremely frugally prior to that and, if anything, I started loosening up a little after his diagnosis.  I was pretty uptight about finances and, while we still prioritize saving, we spend more on experiences now than we did before...because you never know. I think there has to be a balance.

+ 1

[HipGnosis]

I am thinking about this because of a childhood friend who was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer.  She is the breadwinner of her household; her husband has never been much of an earner, but he is a spender.  They are deeply in debt and I don't know if she will even be able to go back to work ever.  On top of all the stress of this major, terrible illness, they now also have financial issues piling up.  So, so sad on many different levels. 

People always think, "I'll buy this now and will save up the money and pay it off later."  But later might not come for them for a number of reasons.

Heartfelt condolences and intense hopes for godspeed recovery.

[Cassie]

Some people do survive it. I have a good friend that had stage 4 ovarian and they did surgery and chemo and said she would be dead in 6 months. She is alive 14 years later. However, it has come back 6 times.  She tried to return to work but all the chemo made it impossible for her to think clearly enough. However, she was happy and enjoyed life and went on SSDI. Yes it killed their finances but living is more important.  So sorry about your friend.

[Parizade]

It is sad, this kind of medical catastrophe becomes a financial catastrophe all too quickly. Excessive medical expenses are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the USA.