Unfortunately Fortunate

There once was a family–a Mommy, a Daddy, and 1.3 children. They and their pets lived in a suburban home with a deck, an entertainment room and a high-powered lawn mower.

Unfortunately, the economy tanked and the Daddy lost his job.

Fortunately, health insurance was provided through Mommy’s work.

Unfortunately, the benefit package changed and all employees at Mommy’s work must now pay 50% of the premium, with a much higher deductible.

Fortunately, nobody in the family is sick at the moment.

Unfortunately, Mommy is seven months pregnant.

Fortunately, the family wants this new child and Daddy is now available to be a stay at home parent.

Unfortunately, the family can no longer afford payments for the mini-van to haul everyone around.

Fortunately, the SUV is already paid for, and they can sell it to make up the difference.

Unfortunately, gasoline now tops $4 a gallon and nobody wants to buy a used SUV.

Fortunately, the family has been living in their suburban home with a deck, and entertainment room and a high-powered lawn mower for some time, so they can borrow against the equity in their home to refinance the mini van.

Unfortunately, house values dropped drastically and all the equity in their home disappeared.

Fortunately, they are willing to sell their home and move closer to Mommy’s work. By living in a smaller home and driving less, they can make ends meet.

Unfortunately, nobody wants a suburban home with a deck, an entertainment room or a high powered lawn mower because they are all doing the same thing.

Fortunately, the family kept setting aside money for a rainy day. They took the advice of their financial planner, not to make frequent trades or worry about short-term ups and downs in the market. They took the long view.

Unfortunately, when they looked at their portfolios, many of their investments had names like Enron, WaMu and British Airways.

Fortunately, they were young enough to file bankruptcy and start over.

Unfortunately, bankruptcy proceedings have been made more restrictive and the numbers of bankruptcies are clogging the courts. Everything is still tied up.

Fortunately, the Daddy’s parents lived nearby and everyone moved in together just in time for Grandpa’s stroke and loss of his pension.

Fortunately, they still have each other.

-mark l vincent