Study these lessons to avoid missteps and make the most of your opportunities.

Athletes

Pro advice

1. Consider your playing career as the beginning.听

The average professional sports career is short. For football and women鈥檚 basketball, the average career is 3.5 years. For men鈥檚 basketball, it鈥檚 4.5 years, and for baseball, it鈥檚 5.6 years. Sound financial decisions will serve you long after your playing days are over.1,2,3,4

2. Start with the end in mind.

Financial planning at the very start of your career is critical. Think about the next chapter.听

3. Be prepared for culture shock.听

Transitioning from having little or no money can be overwhelming.听

4. Don鈥檛 try to keep up with the听鈥淛oneses.鈥

The pressure to live a lavish lifestyle can lead to financial ruin.

5. It鈥檚 net income, not gross pay, that counts.听

After taxes and paying for your team, you may take home less than half of what you earn. Many contracts are not guaranteed, especially in professional football.

6. Educate yourself and only invest in the things that you understand.听

Ask many questions and take responsibility for your own money.

7. Learn to say no (or not yet) to family and friends.听

Set boundaries. People leaning on you for support can present a significant financial drain.

8. The transition to life after professional sports can be hard.听

Navigating the next chapter personally, professionally and financially poses opportunities and challenges. The right team can make the transition easier.

9. Give from the heart.

With the right strategy, your impact and legacy can last for future generations.

10. Having money doesn鈥檛 make you an expert on money.

Advice from experts can bridge the gaps, but be sure you find the right advisor(s).

Entertainers

Star advice

1. Consider the ebbs and flows of your career.

Spend and invest wisely.

2. The next opportunity may take time to materialize. The spotlight comes with expectations.

People will think your fame gives you the ability to spend with no limits.听

3. Learn to say no (or not yet) to family听and friends.

Set boundaries. People leaning on you for support can present a significant financial drain.听

4.听Don鈥檛 try to keep up with the 鈥淛oneses.鈥

The pressure to live a lavish lifestyle can lead to financial ruin.

5.听It鈥檚 net income, not gross pay, that counts.

After taxes and paying for your team, you may take home less than half of what you earn.听

6. Give from the heart.

With the right strategy, your impact and legacy can last for future generations.听

7. Having money doesn鈥檛 make you an expert听on money.

Advice from experts can bridge the gaps, but be sure you find the right advisor(s).听

8.听Choose your financial advisor wisely.

Make sure that your advisor shares your ethics.听Ask for referrals, and check his or her background.听

9.听Stay in contact with the people who deal听with your finances.

Make sure your agents, accountants, business managers and others work as a team. Create checks and balances, including an outside auditor.

10.听Educate yourself and only invest in things听that you understand.

Ask many questions and take responsibility for your own money.

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