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💵 Financial Skill Tree

Financial Literacy for Athletes

From your first bank account to NIL income management. Real-world money skills that school doesn't teach—but life requires.

12
Complete Guides
50+
Skills Covered
12
Boss Challenges
3
Skill Levels

The Financial Skill Tree Progression

🌱
Foundation

Start here. Build the basics.

BankingFirst JobPriority Stack
📈
Intermediate

Real-world applications.

TaxesCreditCarsNILBusiness
🏆
Advanced

Building long-term wealth.

Roth IRAInvestingCollegeReal Estate
Showing 12 guides
🏦

Banking Basics

Your first savings account

Foundation

Teens who open savings accounts as children are 2x more likely to have savings accounts as adults. Start the habit early.

Opening accountsUnderstanding interestMobile banking+1 more
💼

First Job

Understanding your paycheck

Foundation

Your first paycheck is confusing. Why is it less than you expected? Learn what FICA, withholdings, and gross vs. net mean.

Reading pay stubsUnderstanding deductionsW-4 basics+1 more
📊

The Priority Stack

What to do with your money

Foundation

Emergency fund → debt → retirement → goals. Learn the order that maximizes your money over time.

Emergency fund buildingDebt prioritizationGoal setting+1 more
📋

First Tax Return

Filing taxes without fear

Intermediate

Your first tax return is a rite of passage. Learn what forms you need, what deductions you can take, and why you might get a refund.

W-2 readingStandard deductionFiling status+1 more
💳

Building Credit

Your financial reputation

Intermediate

Credit scores affect apartment rentals, car loans, even some jobs. Learn how to build credit the right way without going into debt.

Credit score factorsAuthorized user strategySecured cards+1 more
🚗

First Car

The biggest purchase so far

Intermediate

A car is most young people's largest purchase. Learn to negotiate, understand financing, and calculate true cost of ownership.

New vs. used analysisLoan termsInsurance basics+1 more
🏅

NIL & Athlete Income

Your brand is a business

Intermediate

NIL income is business income. Learn how to manage taxes, track expenses, and build your athletic brand responsibly.

Self-employment taxBusiness expensesQuarterly estimates+1 more
🚀

Teen Entrepreneur

Your first real business

Intermediate

From lawn care to content creation. Learn how to turn a side hustle into a real business with proper structure.

Business basicsPricing strategyTime tracking+1 more
📈

Roth IRA

Tax-free retirement growth

Advanced

A Roth IRA is the most powerful tool for young investors. $1,000 invested at 16 could be worth $88,000+ at retirement—tax-free.

Contribution rulesInvestment selectionTax-free growth+1 more
💰

Investing Basics

Making your money work

Advanced

Stocks, bonds, index funds, ETFs. Cut through the jargon and understand how to build wealth over time.

Asset classesIndex fundsDollar-cost averaging+1 more
🎓

College Funding

Paying for higher education

Advanced

College is expensive, but there are smart strategies. Learn about 529s, FAFSA, scholarships, and ROI calculations.

FAFSA completionScholarship hunting529 plans+1 more
🏠

Real Estate Basics

Understanding property

Advanced

Whether you rent or buy, understanding real estate is essential. Learn about leases, mortgages, and property as an investment.

Lease readingMortgage basicsDown payment math+1 more

Why Financial Literacy Matters for Athletes

NIL Changed Everything

Athletes can now earn real money in high school and college. But NIL income is business income— with taxes, expenses, and planning requirements that nobody teaches.

Time = Money (Compound Interest)

$1,000 invested at 16 could be worth $88,000+ at retirement. Starting early isn't just nice— it's the single biggest advantage young people have.

School Doesn't Teach This

Most high schoolers graduate without knowing how to read a pay stub, file taxes, or understand a credit score. These aren't optional skills—they're survival skills.

Boss Challenges = Real Learning

Reading about Roth IRAs is one thing. Actually opening one is another. Our boss challenges require students to apply what they learn in real situations.

Ready to build your Financial skill tree?

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