With the 2012 Olympics in London having drawn to a close, athletes need to think about their futures and financial planning. They need to make the most of the opportunities available to them, by keeping in top physical shape, entering more sporting events to earn income, quickly choosing good product endorsements to capitalize on their Olympic appearances and investing their earnings wisely. If there is time in their schedules, they should also attempt to branch out into other endeavors that can supplement their incomes, as one is only an athlete for so long.

It's easy to think the money will always be there, but for quite a few people it did not turn out that way. The smartest investment one can make right now, especially if one lives in a nation whose economy is depressed, is purchasing a home. Stay within your income bracket, via what you can comfortably pay for and if you can, find a fixer upper at a lower price. That way, you can have work done on it and end up with equity in the property, if you choose the right renovation projects (kitchen and bathrooms usually bring in the best financial return). If the house in your price range is too small for your long term needs, you can always add a room or two later as your earnings increase.

Avoid risky investments, especially those promising too great a financial return, well above the national and international average. Avoid loaning large sums of money to others, as you may not get it back. Avoid getting into business schemes family or friends with no real experience think is a great idea, but established business principles dictate is likely to fail. Risking your financial future on a hunch someone close to you has can go very wrong.