Disability insurance is often overlooked, often somewhere wedged between health insurance, emergency funding, and life insurance. Yes, cash cushions and health benefits matter. Still, some quietly assume savings alone will carry them through any setback. Others avoid certain insurance policies altogether, believing premiums are wasted if no claim is filed. That logic sounds good until income is interrupted.

Cash works best when it is assigned roles. Standard practice calls for a three-bucket approach: an operating account, a reserve account, and a pool of money set aside for opportunities. Each bucket has a purpose.