Book Excerpt: Planning For Trouble

Newsweek, January, 2006 by Jane Bryant Quinn

For all of us there's the life we're living and a potential, different life. Our normal days--filled with work, family, friends, shopping, movies, sports, books--are the ordinary way of the world. But down in the dark lies another life that we might have to face if something goes awfully wrong. Fire, accident, sickness, premature death--you hate to think about it and so do I. But even during crises, good financial-backup systems can support your hopes and dreams. Here, you'll find the most practical ways of weaving yourself a safety net.

Life Insurance You buy life insurance for just one reason: to support the people who depend on your income if you die prematurely. Based on that test, it's easy to answer the question "Do I need insurance?" No, if you're single with no...