Be smart about the future
MOST evenings, after work is done and the house finally settles, Priya Lata allows herself a moment to breathe.
As a single mother, those moments matter – sometimes they bear a reminder of the weight of responsibility, but also, hope for the future.
For a long time, Priya didn’t think much about long-term financial planning.
Like many working parents, her focus was immediate – making sure there was enough for the week ahead, managing bills and keeping life moving.
Money came in, went out, and sometimes disappeared faster than expected.
“It’s easy not to think too far ahead when you’re just trying to get through each month,” she says.
“But once I realised how quickly things could change, it made me stop and think.”
Knowing that her child depended entirely on her made Priya look at money differently – not as something to spend or stretch, but as something that could either protect or expose her family.
The ultimate back-up plan
For years, life insurance sat firmly in her “later” category. Like many, she too believed it was something meant for older people, or families who already had everything in place. “I honestly didn’t see the value back then,” she admits.
“It felt like something I could worry about in the future.”
But life has a way of reordering priorities. Becoming a mother changed how she viewed the future, and the idea of leaving things to chance – or being unprepared – became harder to ignore.
“There was a moment when it really hit me,” she says, “I realised I’m the only safety net my child has. That’s when I knew I needed to do something.”
Even then, the decision wasn’t immediate as Priya weighed costs and questioned whether she was ready to commit to a policy.
“When I stopped thinking of it as just another expense and started thinking about what it actually meant – protection – it became clearer,” she says.
“This wasn’t about me. It was about my child.”
Freedom, peace and security
Once she took out that policy, the impact was immediate.
“I felt lighter,” Priya says.
“There was this sense of relief I didn’t realise I was missing. It made everyday life less stressful and I could finally breathe.”
Having life insurance also changed how Priya thinks about planning ahead. She became more intentional with money, more conscious of the long-term effects of everyday decisions.
“It made me realise that planning isn’t about fear,” she says.
“It’s about responsibility.”
To young people who feel life insurance can wait, Priya understands the mindset all too well because she once lived it.
“I used to think the same way,” she says.
Changing the mindset
“But starting early really matters. It’s easier, it’s more affordable, and it gives you peace of mind you don’t even know you’re missing.”
One of her biggest misconceptions was believing life insurance could be postponed without consequence.
“I thought I had time,” she says.
“Now I realise that planning ahead actually gives you more freedom, not less.”
Today, Priya feels more secure about the future, finding peace in knowing she is prepared.
“Knowing my daughter will be okay no matter what gives me confidence.”
“It’s a safety net that lets me live with less fear.”
