Jalen Hurts made $1M as an NFL rookie and saved $835,000 of it. Here's the one habit that built his fortune

It’s Hurts’ thriftiness that’s getting attention, as professional financial advisors cite the Eagles’ superstar as a money-management superstar off the field.

“Hurts protected the gap between what he earned and what he spent, and this is what actually builds wealth,” Ben Batiste, owner of Colorado-based Crestmark Wealth Group, told Moneywise.

Batiste points to how Hurts has masterfully navigated some of the trickier financial planning components. “He keeps fixed costs flat,” Batiste noted. “Hurts kept a modest car and drove a paid-off used car while his income climbed.”

Hurts has explained that he kept his old car because he simply didn’t see the need to buy a brand new one. Instead of spending money on a new depreciating asset, Hurts used $10,000 of his NFL earnings to pay off the existing car in full. He then moved to leasing a modest vehicle, which suited his budgeting outlook.

“Instead of buying a new car, you can buy a used car or lease a vehicle,” he said in his rookie-year YouTube video that’s earned 4.7 million views and more than 3,500 comments.

How Jaylen Hurts views money management

Hurts’ work ethic kicked in early. Hurts’ first job was cutting grass, which he began doing in the sixth grade and continued through high school.

“I used Dad’s truck to haul lawn equipment,” Hurts noted. “Mowing lawns was a good little workout, too.”

Flash forward to today, and his money management is short and to the point: Save, don’t spend.

“If I could give any advice to a rookie coming into the NFL, having this amount of money for the first time ever in your life, be wise with your choices and decisions,” Hurts noted in the video. “I know you have things that you’ve always dreamed of having, maybe, and that’s perfect, like, go get it. You earned it. But also be smart, mindful, and prepared. It goes by quickly. So Uncle Sam is real.”

Of his $1 million rookie salary, $300,000 of that went directly to taxes, after all.

According to the video, Hurts allocates his money roughly as follows:

• Savings and investments - $738,000–$835,000 (depending on whether or not taxes are counted separately in summaries)
• Taxes - about $300,000
• Sister’s college tuition - $70,000
• Charity - $30,000
• Financial advisors and agent - $20,000
• Jewelry - $15,000
• Clothes - $10,000
• Car lease - under $1,000 per month

In describing his financial philosophy, Hurts repeatedly stresses several principles that stand out:

• Save first, spend second. His largest “purchase” was simply moving money into savings and investments rather than increasing his standard of living.
• Take care of family. One of his biggest personal expenses was paying for his sister’s education. He set aside $70,000 to help with his 16-year-old sister’s college tuition, a volleyball player who may well earn an athletic scholarship.
• Use professionals. He believes paying experienced financial advisors and agents is worthwhile because protecting wealth is just as important as earning it.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation. Despite becoming an NFL player, he intentionally limited spending on cars, clothes, and jewelry.
• Think long term. Hurts has said football careers are short, so preserving wealth is more important than showing it off.

Hurts has also personally opted to help a local family in need with his fortunes. One Christmas, he wound up giving a family in need a $30,000 check for a down payment on a new house, as well as games, systems, and a high-end TV.