Procrastination is bought and paid for with a very large price tag.

Everybody likes to live in the here and now and not worry about tomorrow. The problem with this is that eventually tomorrow becomes the here and now and you are going to reap the benefits of your investment decisions.

Whether you are accumulating a nest egg for early retirement, or want to protect that nest egg and your independence with insurance, time is the most important asset you have at your disposal. A cruel irony: every year you delay your insurance decision increases the cost.

Being under-insured means you risk facing bills with lots of zeros. It means you are putting your retirement savings, your 401(k), your bank passbook account, your current wages, future investment potential, your children’s college fund and even your home at risk of being confiscated to pay for your debts.

By waiting a few more years you are going to pay a lot more for it. Wait too long and you won’t qualify. The largest cost of delaying your insurance protection is not the premium, it is not having the coverage when you need it.

Don’t look at the insurance coverage premium as just one more monthly bill. Consider it an investment in your future financial well being. By waiting, high blood pressure, accidents or a chronic illness can severely decrease the return, and protection, in your later years when you really need it.