Financial Football: How to Build Your Winning Coaching Team

Not really.

You should know better than to let your love of football get in the way of your financial health. But you know what? Football and money have a lot more in common than you might think.

For example, take the coaching staff. These guys work together every week, making a game plan to achieve victory. To win with money, you’ve got to have the right people around you to provide support, encouragement and a good kick in the pants when you need it.

So just like a football team, you need a coaching staff. But what does your coaching staff look like? Let’s break it down.

Head Coach

You’re the head coach. The Big Kahuna. The shot-caller. All of your money decisions start with you and your spouse (if you’re married) and end with you and your spouse. When you’re the head coach, you can celebrate successes when you win, but you also have to take the blame when you fail. Remember that all victories start with a good game plan.

Offensive Coordinator

Who’s your money guy (or girl)? Who’s helping you decide what to invest and when to invest in it? If you’re still in debt, who’s got your back when it comes to attacking debt? These people are your offensive coordinator(s). They help you set up your offensive plan, whether it’s saving for your emergency fund or attacking the debt snowball. Connect with a SmartVestor Pro to talk about your future.

Defensive Coordinator

Your defensive coordinator is your insurance guy—the one who takes care of your life insurance, health insurance and car insurance. He could also be the guy—maybe an attorney, maybe a friend—who’s making sure you have a will in place. Basically, your defensive coordinator is there to protect you from life. Bad things will happen, but if you’re prepared for them, you can make it through.

Strength and Conditioning Coach

This person is an extremely important part of your team. The strength and conditioning coach might be a pastor, a counselor or even your spouse—someone who will support you emotionally and spiritually for the difficult times. This is really important when you’re just starting to get out of debt. When you feel like giving up, your strength and conditioning coach will be there to talk you through it.

Trainer

This is your mentor. Your trainer could also be your financial coach, or maybe it’s just someone you look up to, like Dave Ramsey. Basically, your trainer is your teacher. He’ll help you understand how to manage your money, and he’ll be there to answer difficult questions you want to ask. Make sure you’ve got a good trainer in your life.

Surrounding yourself with the right people is extremely important when you’re on the road to financial peace. You want “coaches” who are encouraging and positive, not negative Nellies.

Now that football season is here, it’s a great time to ask yourself this question: Who is on your coaching staff?