New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- The best time to mend the roof is when the sun is shining, not after the rains commence.

There is so much wisdom in this one sentence that it needs careful reflection.

People expect life to be a smooth, sedate, upward ride, but it is anything but that. In fact, every facet of life has its ups and downs - sometimes, they are positive and at other times, they may be challenging.

Contingencies

But a challenging event or a situation should not completely disrupt our lives. If planned well, a setback like a job loss can be taken in its stride and even set the stage for future prospects.

Another such contingency is medical expenses for the elderly without insurance, infirmity and home care for elderly, assistance to so...