Talent Might Get You Paid. But Literacy Keeps You Wealthy.

You studied the playbook.
You memorized every drill.
You woke up early. You stayed late.
You earned the bag.

But if you don’t understand how money works, the system is still running plays on you — and you don’t even realize it.

Too many athletes are fluent in their sport but illiterate in the game that actually runs the world — the money game.

And that ain’t your fault.

You were never supposed to be taught this.
They gave you gym class and geometry, but never credit scores, business structure, or compound interest.

Because if you knew the game, you’d be too powerful to control.

This blog is your first weapon.
Your financial playbook.
Your chance to flip the narrative from “used” to unshakeable.

Let’s break it all the way down.
No fluff. No lectures. Just truth.

Read This Like You Read Film

This is a reference blog.
Bookmark it. Share it. Study it.

Each term is broken down in athlete-friendly language — no Wall Street suits, just real talk and practical application.

The goal isn’t to sound smart.
The goal is to move smart — with money, business, and strategy.

SECTION 1: FOUNDATION

1. Income

Money you earn — period.
Could be NIL deals, sponsorships, freelance gigs, game checks, or affiliate payouts.

Pro move: Separate your income into business (LLC) and personal buckets.

2. Expenses

Money going out. Rent, gear, training, travel, subscriptions.

Tip: Know the difference between necessary and ego-driven expenses.

3. Budget

A game plan for your money. How much you’ll spend, save, invest, or allocate.

Strategy: Start with the 50/30/20 rule or 60/30/10.

4. Net Worth

What you own (assets) minus what you owe (debts).
Assets – Liabilities = Net Worth

Truth: Your net worth matters more than your income.

5. Assets

Anything that makes you money: stocks, real estate, businesses, content, IP.

Rule: If it puts money in your pocket — it’s an asset.

6. Liabilities

Anything that takes money from you: loans, credit card debt, car payments, etc.

Discipline: Minimize liabilities that don’t build income.

7. Wealth

Not about what you earn.
It’s what you keep and grow — long after you stop working.

SECTION 2: BANKING & CREDIT

8. Checking Account

Your “spend” account. Bills, everyday purchases.

Tip: Keep it separate from business money.

9. Savings Account

Your “hold” account. Emergency fund. Short-term goals.

Warning: Interest is trash. Don’t park large money here for long.

10. Business Bank Account

For LLCs and business income.
Required if you want to write off taxes or build business credit.

11. Credit Score

3-digit number that decides your borrowing power.
Ranges from 300–850.

Golden Rule: Keep it above 700.

12. Credit Utilization

The % of credit you're using.
Use less than 30% (ideally 10%).

13. Hard Inquiry

When a lender pulls your credit report. Lowers your score slightly.

Game plan: Space them out. Don't apply for everything at once.

14. APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

The interest rate on a loan or credit card, yearly.

Translation: How expensive it is to borrow money.

15. Compound Interest

Interest that builds on top of itself.
It’s how the rich get richer.

Think: Your money makes babies. Then those babies make babies.

16. Business Credit

Credit tied to your LLC, not your personal name.

Power move: Build both. Business credit gets funding without risking your personal score.

SECTION 3: TAXES & STRUCTURE

17. IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

They don’t care about your sport.
They care if you file correctly.

18. 1099

The form you get for self-employed or NIL income.
No taxes withheld. You’re responsible.

19. W-2

Form for traditional employment. Taxes are taken out automatically.

20. LLC (Limited Liability Company)

A legal business structure. It protects your personal assets and lets you write off expenses.

Gamechanger: Every athlete with NIL or brand money needs one.

21. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Like a Social Security number for your business. You get it free from IRS.gov.

22. Write-Off

An expense related to your business that reduces your taxable income.

Example: Gym memberships, merch, media shoots, travel, laptops.

23. Deductions

Similar to write-offs. Lowers the amount of income you pay taxes on.

Move smart: Track everything. Every dollar saved is a dollar earned.

24. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

A professional who does taxes and financial planning.
Hire one who understands NIL, athletes, and creators.

25. Audit

When the IRS reviews your finances. You better have receipts.

SECTION 4: INVESTING

26. Stock

A piece of a company. Own it, and you own part of the business.

27. Index Fund

A bundle of stocks you can buy all at once.
It spreads the risk — and builds wealth over time.

Beginner-friendly: Start here before jumping into single stocks.

28. ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)

Like an index fund, but trades like a stock. Easy to buy and sell.

29. Dividend

A payout some stocks give you just for owning them.

Passive income 101.

30. ROI (Return on Investment)

How much you make from your investment. Expressed as a percentage.

Formula: (Profit ÷ Cost) x 100

31. Risk Tolerance

How much market loss you can stomach before folding.

Young athletes: Time is on your side. Go long-term.

32. Asset Allocation

How you split your investments across different types (stocks, real estate, crypto, etc.)

33. REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)

A way to invest in real estate without owning property directly.

Great for passive income.

34. Capital Gains

The profit you make when you sell an investment for more than you bought it.

35. Accredited Investor

Someone who makes $200K+ per year or has a net worth over $1M (excluding their house).
Gives access to exclusive investments.

SECTION 5: BUSINESS & BRANDING

36. Intellectual Property (IP)

Anything you create that has value: logos, name, slogan, content.

Own your IP. Trademark your brand.

37. Licensing

Letting someone use your name, image, or product — for a fee.

38. Royalties

Ongoing payments for use of your content, music, brand, etc.

Passive income king.

39. Affiliate Marketing

You promote a product. If someone buys, you get paid.

Low effort. High potential.

40. Merch

Branded gear you sell. T-shirts, hats, hoodies.

Easy entry into ecommerce.

41. Dropshipping

Selling merch without holding inventory.
Print-on-demand services handle production/shipping.

42. YouTube Monetization

Once you hit 1K subs + 4K watch hours, you get paid from ads.

Use content to create income.

43. Podcast Sponsorships

Get paid to shout out brands on your show. More reach = more value.

44. Lead Magnet

Free offer to attract emails (e.g., “Free Workout Guide”). Helps grow your list and monetize later.

45. Funnel

The path someone takes from discovering you to buying from you.

Content → Offer → Income

SECTION 6: MINDSET & STRATEGY

46. Net Income

Your income after expenses and taxes.

That’s your real take-home. Not what the check says.

47. Lifestyle Creep

When your spending grows with your income.
Kills long-term wealth.

48. Emergency Fund

Cash set aside for unexpected situations. Minimum = 3–6 months of expenses.

49. Generational Wealth

Money + assets + knowledge passed down.
It’s not what you leave behind — it’s what keeps working when you're gone.

50. Leverage

Using tools, money, or people to multiply your results.

Money + strategy + team = power.

51. Financial Freedom

When your passive income exceeds your living expenses.
That’s the goal.

Not fame. Not flex.
Freedom.

Strategic Takeaways

1. Know the Game You’re In

This isn’t just about learning definitions.
This is about training your brain to see money like the elites do.

This blog? It’s your film room.

2. Revisit This Weekly

Don’t just read it once.
Study it. Re-study it. Break it down.
You should know these terms like you know your stats.

3. Apply One Term a Week

Knowledge without action is noise.

Pick one term a week.
Implement it. Track it. Build with it.

50 terms = 50 moves. That’s a whole season’s worth of progress.

Final Word: Learn the Language — Or Be Played by It

If you don’t understand this game, someone else will play it for you.

They’ll take your name.
They’ll take your influence.
They’ll take your income — and sell it back to you in inspiration quotes.

But not you. Not now.

Because now?
You’re fluent.

And fluent people build empires.

Written by Artizsoul Newsroom
This is your playbook. Run the offense.

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