My Money Grows

At Planned to A.T., Inc., we know that financial wellness is more than just managing money—it’s about building confidence, making informed choices, and setting a strong foundation for future success. That’s why our curriculum is designed to meet young people where they are, guiding them step-by-step through essential financial concepts. From understanding the basics of budgeting and setting S.M.A.R.T. goals to navigating paystubs, taxes, and the difference between needs and wants, our programs empower students with practical, real-world skills. Whether students aspire to be entrepreneurs, professional athletes, or simply financially independent, our curriculum equips them with the tools they need to thrive. Explore the sections below to discover how each of our programs fosters financial wellness, builds smart habits, and inspires a lifetime of financial wellness.

Money Memories

Planned to A.T., Inc.’s Money Memories program is designed to help students explore their personal experiences and beliefs about money, fostering open discussions to build financial confidence. By reflecting on whether financial topics are discussed at home and assessing their personal money ideologies, students gain a deeper understanding of their financial mindset. This interactive lesson creates a foundation for financial literacy by encouraging open “money talks,” making students more comfortable discussing finances. The goal is to break down barriers surrounding financial education, ensuring that young people feel empowered to take control of their financial futures.

Intro to Budgeting

For aspiring professional athletes, Money Memories is particularly valuable, as it helps them recognize early influences on their spending habits and develop a proactive approach to financial management. Many athletes experience sudden wealth but lack the financial literacy needed to manage it responsibly, often leading to financial instability later in life. By engaging in discussions about personal finance from a young age, students build the confidence to implement smart money habits, avoid common financial pitfalls, and make informed decisions about contracts, endorsements, and investments. This foundational understanding ensures that future athletes are not only successful in their sports careers but also financially secure long after their playing days are over.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Our S.M.A.R.T. Goals program teaches students how to set and achieve financial goals using the Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.) framework. This lesson walks students through the process of evaluating their income sources, identifying a desired purchase, and creating a structured financial plan to reach that goal. By breaking down long-term aspirations into actionable steps, students learn how to develop disciplined saving habits and make informed financial choices. This skill set is crucial for young people as they begin managing their own money, whether for short-term expenses like school supplies or long-term investments like higher education.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

For aspiring professional athletes, the S.M.A.R.T. Goals program is particularly valuable in preparing them for the financial realities of their careers. Many athletes face financial challenges due to sudden wealth, unpredictable career lengths, and poor money management. By learning how to set clear financial goals early on, student-athletes can plan for training expenses, manage endorsement earnings, and build long-term financial security. The ability to strategically budget for career-related expenses—such as coaching, travel, or equipment—ensures they maximize their earnings and safeguard their financial future beyond their playing years. With a strong foundation in goal setting and financial planning, student-athletes can make empowered decisions that support both their professional and personal success.

Needs Vs. Wants

Planned to A.T., Inc.’s Needs vs. Wants program helps students distinguish between essential expenses and discretionary spending, fostering a more intentional approach to money management. Through guided discussions and self-assessments, students define their personal financial needs and evaluate their current spending habits. By recognizing where their money goes, they become more conscious of their financial decisions and learn how to prioritize necessities over short-term desires. This foundational skill is essential for developing responsible money habits, helping young people build a secure financial future.

Needs vs Wants

For aspiring professional athletes, understanding needs versus wants is crucial in navigating the financial complexities that come with a career in sports. Many athletes experience sudden financial success but struggle to manage their wealth due to unchecked spending on luxury items and unnecessary purchases. By learning to differentiate between essential expenses—such as training, healthcare, and long-term investments—and non-essential spending, student-athletes can develop disciplined financial habits that sustain them throughout and beyond their playing careers. This awareness empowers them to make smart financial choices, ensuring they prioritize their long-term security over fleeting indulgences.

Paystub Analysis

"Paystubs" introduces students to the essential components of a paycheck, helping them understand the difference between gross pay, net pay, and deductions. Through hands-on activities, students analyze paystubs, calculate take-home earnings, and explore how factors like taxes, benefits, and retirement contributions impact their final paycheck. Additionally, the program encourages students to research their ideal future lifestyle by estimating the cost of housing, transportation, and daily expenses. By comparing these costs to projected salaries in their chosen careers, students gain a realistic perspective on financial planning and income management.

The Paystub

For aspiring professional athletes, mastering paystub literacy is critical in avoiding financial missteps that have impacted many in the sports industry. High salaries in professional sports often come with significant tax liabilities, agent fees, and other deductions that can drastically reduce take-home pay. Without a clear understanding of these factors, young athletes may overestimate their financial security and make unsustainable spending choices. Through this program, students learn to assess their actual earnings, anticipate deductions, and plan for long-term financial stability, ensuring they are prepared to manage their wealth wisely throughout and beyond their athletic careers.

Taxes

"Taxes" educates students on the fundamentals of taxation, including the different types of taxes that impact salaries, such as federal, state, and local income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Students explore how tax brackets work, why tax rates vary based on income and location, and how deductions can influence their final earnings. By breaking down complex tax concepts into practical, real-world applications, this program ensures students develop a foundational understanding of how taxes affect their financial future. The goal is to equip them with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions as they enter the workforce and begin earning an income.

Taxes

For aspiring professional athletes, understanding taxes is essential to managing their wealth effectively. High-earning athletes often fall into the highest tax brackets, and without proper financial planning, they can lose a significant portion of their income to taxes. Additionally, factors such as multi-state taxation (for games played in different states), endorsement earnings, and business expenses make their tax situations more complex. By learning how taxation works early on, student-athletes can better navigate these financial challenges, work with professionals to minimize tax burdens legally, and ensure they retain more of their hard-earned income. Proper tax planning can be the difference between financial longevity and financial struggle for athletes throughout and beyond their careers.

Budgeting

Planned to A.T., Inc.’s Budgeting program teaches students the fundamentals of managing their money by introducing them to different types of expenses, bank statements, and budgeting strategies such as the (678)-837-6274 rule—allocating 10% to saving, 10% to giving, and 80% to living expenses. Through interactive exercises, students analyze real-world financial scenarios, categorize expenses, and create personalized budgets that reflect their financial goals. This hands-on approach helps students understand the importance of planning ahead, making informed spending decisions, and developing the discipline needed to maintain financial stability.

Budgeting

For aspiring professional athletes, mastering budgeting is crucial in preparing for a career where income can be unpredictable and short-lived. Many athletes experience sudden financial success but struggle to manage their wealth due to a lack of financial planning. By learning how to allocate earnings wisely, set aside money for long-term security, and plan for inevitable career transitions, student-athletes can avoid the financial pitfalls that have affected many in the industry. Budgeting skills ensure that they not only enjoy financial success during their playing years but also build lasting wealth that supports them well beyond their athletic careers.