Practice Now, Win Later: Why Opening Financial Accounts Early Sets You Up for Game Day Success

When you’re a student-athlete, everyone talks about the importance of practice. It’s where champions are built—not under the game day lights, but in the quiet, repetitive grind of preparation. The same is true with your finances. These college years are your practice season—the time to get your reps in with budgeting, saving, and learning how …

Practice vs. Game Day: Preparing Your Future Self Through Smart Financial Habits Today

In sports, there’s a clear line between practice and game day. Practice is where you grind. It’s early mornings, long reps, lifting, learning, studying film, and doing the unglamorous work that no one applauds. Game day, on the other hand, is the big moment. The crowd is watching. The lights are bright. Every move is …

What Should a Student-Athlete Do After Meeting With a Wealth Manager?

Action Steps to Take Your NIL Planning from Conversation to Execution Meeting with a wealth manager for the first time is a big step—especially for student-athletes navigating new income from NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. That first conversation may leave you feeling empowered, overwhelmed, or both. But what really matters is what you do …

The First Down Financial Mindset: Take Early Shots, Set Up the Score

In football, you’ve got four downs to get ten yards. On 1st and 2nd down, you have options. This is where teams take calculated risks—maybe it’s a deep pass, a play-action, or a trick play. Why? Because the consequences are lower. If it doesn’t work out, you still have more chances. But when those plays …

Rebuilding Credit 101: A Step-by-Step Guide for Student-Athletes (And How to Help Your Parents, Too)

As a student-athlete, you’re balancing school, practices, games, and possibly NIL income. But when it comes time to rent an apartment, buy a car, or even get a phone plan, many young athletes get a wake-up call: credit matters. And what if your credit is bad—or non-existent? Worse, what if your parents’ credit is in …

Bad Credit and Apartment Hunting: What Student-Athletes Can Do When Landlords Say “No”

You just found the perfect apartment—close to campus, affordable, and a decent kitchen for your meal prep. You fill out the rental application and… you get denied. Why? Your credit. Bad credit—or no credit—can slam the door on a lease, even if you’ve got enough money to pay rent. This is especially frustrating for student-athletes …

Step-by-Step Guide: How a Student-Athlete Can Repair Their Credit and Get Back in the Financial Game

Credit problems don’t define you.Whether you missed some payments, defaulted on an old card, or just didn’t know better, you’re not alone. Lots of student-athletes start out behind when it comes to credit—but that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. This guide breaks down exactly how to repair your credit—step-by-step—so you can bounce back, …

Credit Repair Action Plan for Student-Athletes — A Printable Checklist to Get Back on Track

If your credit’s in trouble — don’t panic.Whether you’ve been denied for an apartment, turned down for a car loan, or just checked your score and got a little sick to your stomach, you’re not alone. Many student-athletes haven’t been taught how credit works, and some inherit financial struggles from their parents. The good news? …

Break down of Retirement accounts that lower taxes

Retirement Planning for College Athletes With NIL Income: What You Need to Know Introduction: More Than Just NIL Deals Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has given college athletes unprecedented opportunities to earn money during their playing years. But while cashing checks is great, keeping those checks — and growing them — is what separates short-term …