Despite the fact that our favorite team didn’t make it to the Superbowl this year, we’ll still be settling in for an evening of football this evening. I might not care who wins (and might really be rooting for a team that shall remain nameless to LOSE), but I love the excitement, the commercials, and the halftime show. It’s fun to yell at the officials and snack on party food. I’ve discovered there’s a lot to be learned from football, even if you’re not likely to be throwing touchdowns anytime soon.
First, be prepared. A football team has 53 players on its roster, because you can’t predict what might happen in the course of a season, a game, or a single play. Likewise, you can’t predict what life might throw at you tomorrow, so having a little cushion is always a good idea. If you can save $20 a week from your paycheck, before long you’ll be confident that you can weather any car repairs, unexpected trips, or pulled hamstrings that come your way.
Second, be a team player. Every football team has its stars, its big players, but they also all have lesser known players who go out there, week after week, and get the job done. The team needs all its players. This is true for your finances as well. A lot of us aren’t one person teams when it comes to our finances. If you have a spouse, children, or even a roommate, you need to be on the same page when it comes to finances.
Third, you have to protect yourself. Football players train all year long, even during the off season, and they take care of their physical health. They know they need to stay at the top of their game. You need to protect your financial investments as well, with insurance products like auto insurance, homeowners insurance, Credit Life and Disability and GAP. Our homes and cars are some of the biggest investments we make in our lives, and it makes sense to have a front line of products in place so that we don’t end up in a 3rd and long with very few options for getting to that next set of downs.
Finally, in football, in your finances, and in life, the little gains count. Most teams don’t go down the field and score a touchdown 50 yards at a time, even though that is the main goal. They go down the field one first down at a time. We all have dreams, hopes and plans, and a lot of them will require money. So keep your eye on the prize, but at the same time, remember that it’s okay to get there, one step at a time, as long as you’re moving forward. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.’