Also is Total Permanent Disablity insurance a good idea? a must? a take it or leave it?

oh, this is just so hard! (Or is it just me that finds it that way?)

I would recommend it if you could afford it just for the peace of mind. It is a nice feeling to know that your family isn't bothered about finances after you leave. I realize I sound very cliched but think about it for a while. How can anyone be certain of his/her future. There is no warning before it happens and I think you want to be sure when it happens...

These are big decisions and they are meant to be hard for the same reason Good luck with your research...