This is a sponsored post on behalf of Responsival. All thoughts are my own.

The day I became a mother was the happiest day of my life. It's something I've wanted to be ever since I was a little girl- a mom. When I was growing up, I had countless dolls, stuffed animals, and even pets to care for. It brought me so much joy to take care of someone or something else and gave me a taste of responsibility. As a teen and young adult, I loved babysitting other people's children. It sort of gave me a view into family life outside of my own and helped prepare me for caring for my own children years down the road.

Happy as I am to have my children (three beautiful kiddos, ranging from twelve to fourteen months old), their births were not without complications. I labored with my firstborn for over twelve hours before finally being rushed into surgery for an emergency c-section. If it wasn't for modern technology and skilled doctors, we both would have lost our lives. With two more children and repeat c-sections to follow, each pregnancy and birth was high risk, and if I'm honest, scary. Knowing that you could lose your life in the process of bringing another into the world is frightening, but I had faith we would all make it through, and we did.

The reality is that life is unpredictable, and none of us know when we might leave this world. Having proper plans in place in the event of the unthinkable gives those who are left behind some peace. While you cannot take away the pain of loss, you can certainly help ease the burden of expenses by having life insurance. Life insurance might sound like a scary 'grown-up term,' but the truth is, there are many reasons why you might want to consider having a cheap term life insurance policy.

Let's take a look at why you might want to buy term life insurance:

You have a high-risk job

Every day, millions of people put their lives on the line at work. From service men and women to skilled labor workers, there are many who face dangerous jobs day in and day out. Knowing that they could become hurt on the job or worse, many people in these types of professions do buy cheap term life insurance to protect themselves and their loved ones in the event of losing their lives on the job. No one wants to think about such a thing, but it can and does happen. It's best to have this policy and plan to help with any expenses in the event of an accident.

You're getting married

When you join your life with someone else, you suddenly have more than just yourself to think about. You are not only loving but caring for someone else in every possible way through life together. Many married couples combine their finances, and also jointly file taxes, purchase property, and buy insurance policies. Life insurance is no exception. If one person passes away, having life insurance will help cover expenses for any funeral plans, and can also help cover living expenses. If you are in a one-income household, and a spouse or partner relies on the other's income to survive, cheap term life insurance isn't just needed, it's a necessity. Making the right choice when it comes to life insurance can be tough, so weigh your options through comparisons. Affordable Life USA offers free life insurance comparisons. Check out this married couple's insurance planning checklist.

You have a family

Caring for your family means leaving them prepared for any and all of life's circumstances. It can be difficult to think about, but nothing in life is certain, and preparing for what will happen to your family after you're gone. Having a will, and knowing who will have guardianship of your children is a top priority for parents. Purchasing term life insurance is a wonderful idea if you have a family. It can cost as little as $50.00/month (or even less in some cases) for life insurance. Purchasing a plan for yourself and your spouse will set your family up for success and give them the ability to thrive in your absence. It really is a smart and responsible thing to do, ensuring that they are taken care of financially. Fabric by Gerber Life is a wonderful choice for families, offering services for finding the right term life insurance for each member of your family.

Hard as it is for me to accept, I have lost friends unexpectedly as an adult. These friends have left spouses and children behind, and some of them didn't have life insurance or proper plans in place. I would deeply regret not having life insurance or having a will in place for my family in the event of an accident, etc. 

As we know, tomorrow is not promised. Making smart decisions regarding our futures (and the futures of our families) is so important. Life insurance doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and the process of finding and securing the right policy doesn't have to be scary. Ask people you know for recommendations, and if they are willing to share their experiences, draw from their wisdom. Our needs for life insurance change as we age, but it's never too late to buy a policy. Start planning for your future today so you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones won't be burdened after you're gone.