Pillar 06
For Athletes at Every Level
Most athletes receive their first significant income — NIL deals, signing bonuses, or professional contracts — with no financial education whatsoever. The results are well-documented: bankruptcy rates among professional athletes are staggering, and the financial mistakes made in the first years of earning follow athletes for decades. This pillar changes that, starting as early as high school.
Budgeting is not about restriction. It is about intention — deciding in advance where your money goes, rather than wondering afterward where it went.
For athletes beginning to earn NIL income, the foundational budget follows a simple framework:
50% — Needs: Housing, food, transportation, tuition (if not covered by scholarship), utilities. These are non-negotiable expenses.
20% — Savings and investing: Pay yourself first. Before anything else, put 20% of every dollar you earn into savings or an investment account. This is not optional — it is the foundation of financial security.
10% — Taxes: NIL income is self-employment income. Set aside at least 10–15% of every NIL payment for taxes. You will owe this money. Do not spend it.
20% — Discretionary: Everything else — entertainment, clothing, eating out, experiences. This is your freedom money. Spend it intentionally.
This is a starting framework, not a rigid rule. The key principle is this: every dollar should have a job before it arrives in your account.
Enter your estimated monthly NIL income below to build a simple budget framework. This tool will show you exactly how to allocate your earnings.
1.What is your estimated monthly NIL income?
2.Does your scholarship cover housing and meals?
3.What is your primary financial goal right now?
4.How would you rate your current financial knowledge?