By Tamara’s Financial Planning and Consultancy

Joseph Mwangi kept pushing his financial plans to ‘next week’—until a tragic accident turned his ‘tomorrow’ into an emergency. Now his young family is left without insurance, savings, or a plan. His story is not just a tragedy—it’s a warning to every breadwinner still procrastinating.”

In the fast-paced rhythm of life, many of us put off essential decisions, trusting that tomorrow will offer the perfect opportunity to act. We wait for better timing, a salary increment, loan clearance, or for our children to “grow a bit older.” But in truth, life rarely grants us the luxury of perfect timing. Tragedy often arrives uninvited, reminding us, sometimes too late, that procrastination is a dangerous illusion.

This is the story of Joseph Mwangi, a 34-year-old husband and father of twins, whose story mirrors that of countless Kenyan families living on hope instead of preparation.

A Story Too Common

Joseph Mwangi is well known in his community. A charming and responsible man, he works as a supervisor for a logistics company based in Nairobi. His wife, Mary, works at a local supermarket. They live modestly but comfortably, raising their one-year-old twins with pride and joy. Joseph is the kind of man you trust. The kind who promises to act “soon” and genuinely means it. But the problem is—soon never came.

In January last year, Joseph attended a financial wellness seminar at his workplace where he was introduced to the importance of health insurance, education policies, emergency savings, and investment planning. Touched by the stories and inspired by the insights, he said to the advisor, “Let me sort out a few things. I’ll begin this journey next year.”

Come January, he said March would be ideal. By March, loans needed clearing. In June, he asked for a month’s breather. July came, and he was still deferring the decision to “next week.” Then last week, he swore he’d begin “this week.” Yesterday, he said, “today.” And today?

Today, Joseph is fighting for his life.

When Tragedy Strikes Without Warning

Joseph was involved in a grisly road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway on his way to a work-related delivery. The accident left him in critical condition with multiple fractures and internal injuries. He was rushed to a private hospital, but upon admission, there was a dilemma—he had no health insurance.

With his condition urgent and resources limited, his family scrambled to raise funds through mobile money platforms, friends, and relatives. In the midst of this storm, Mary, his wife, stood confused and devastated. She had no savings, no emergency fund, no education policy for the twins, and no guidance on how to handle what could be the most significant crisis of her life.

A Crisis Rooted in Procrastination

What happened to Joseph is not rare. In fact, it’s alarmingly common. Many Kenyans, especially young working parents, fail to act on their financial plans due to a belief that there will always be time. This delay—often disguised as being busy, financially strained, or simply indecisive—can lead to irreversible consequences.

Let us break down the financial consequences of procrastination through Joseph’s situation:

1. No Health Insurance

Had Joseph taken a simple medical insurance cover, his admission would have been seamless. Instead, he is now dependent on expensive out-of-pocket treatment and fundraising campaigns. A hospital bill can rise to hundreds of thousands within days.

2. No Education Policy for His Children

Joseph loved his twins. He wanted them to attend the best schools. But with no education policy or savings plan, their academic future now teeters on uncertainty. If Joseph does not recover, his family might struggle to afford even basic education.

3. No Income Protection or Life Cover

As the sole breadwinner, Joseph’s inability to work translates to zero household income. With no income protection, disability insurance, or life cover, his family could slide from comfort to survival mode within weeks.

4. No Estate Planning or Will

Like most young parents, Joseph never thought of writing a will. Should he not survive, his family might have to undergo tedious and expensive legal processes to access his assets.

5. Emotional and Financial Strain on Loved Ones

Mary is left not only to handle the emotional trauma but also the financial burden. From hospital deposits to school fees, rent, and daily expenses—everything now rests on her shoulders.

Why We Must Urgently Rethink Financial Planning

Financial planning is not for the wealthy; it is for the wise. It’s a responsibility—especially for breadwinners—to protect their families against life’s uncertainties. The tragedy is not that Joseph got into an accident. The real tragedy is that he was unprepared for it.

Imagine if Joseph had just done the following:

• Enrolled in a health insurance plan for KES 65,000 yearly.
• Started a children’s education policy with atleast KES 5,000 monthly contributions.
• Built a small emergency fund by setting aside KES 500 daily.
• Set up a simple will and appointed guardianship for his children.

These small, manageable steps could have transformed this crisis into a manageable setback rather than a catastrophe.

Common Excuses—and Why They’re Dangerous

Many people reading this will relate to Joseph’s procrastination. Let’s examine some of the most common reasons people delay financial planning:

“I don’t have enough money right now.”

The truth is, financial planning helps you build from what you already have. You don’t need millions to start—just consistency.

“I’ll start when I finish repaying my loan.”

Emergencies won’t wait for your loans to be cleared. Start small, even while servicing debt.

“I’m still young and healthy.”

So was Joseph. Youth and health are not shields from accidents or illness.

“I don’t understand these financial products.”

That’s why financial advisors exist. Guidance is available. Ignorance is curable; consequences are not.

“It won’t happen to me.”

It just might. And if it doesn’t, great—you’ll still have a legacy to pass on.

The Psychological Cost of Delay

Aside from the financial losses, procrastination also leads to psychological stress. Constantly pushing decisions burdens your mental space. It creates anxiety, guilt, and fear of what the future might bring. Planning, on the other hand, brings peace, confidence, and freedom.

This article is not just a story—it is a wake-up call. If you are a breadwinner, a parent, or simply someone who hopes to build a secure future, the time to act is now. Not next month. Not next week. Today.

Every day you delay is a day you gamble with your family’s future.

You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one thing:

Book a free consultation with a trusted financial planner.

Begin with the most urgent: health insurance or education planning.

Automate a small savings amount weekly.

Don’t wait to be another Joseph.

Let Joseph’s story be the reason you act. Because planning is love in action—and your loved ones deserve that security.

Joseph Mwangi’s story is painful. It is real. And it is happening across homes, towns, and cities every single day. If you’re still telling yourself that you’ll start tomorrow, remember: tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Make today count. For your children. For your spouse. For yourself.

“Because tomorrow is never promised—plan today.”

Tamara’s Financial Planning & Consultancy walks with you on this journey. We educate, guide, and help you prepare for a future worth looking forward to. Because financial security is not a luxury—it is a necessity.