Professional soccer player Jordyn Huitema recently demonstrated that style and financial savvy go hand-in-hand during an appearance on the digital series Ball on a Budget. This collaboration represents a notable Complex contribution to the intersection of sports and lifestyle, as the series seeks to prove that money does not necessarily equal style. Hosted by sports journalist Ashley Nicole Moss, the challenge required the Olympic striker to curate a festive holiday ensemble for under $300 at a shop in Boston. Huitema, who grew up wearing her older brothers' hand-me-downs during a self-described tomboy era, approached the racks with a strategic game plan to find a central statement piece and build a look around it.
The conversation during the shopping trip revealed a deeper motivation behind Huitema’s frugality, rooted in the significant wage gap present in professional sports. Unlike their male counterparts who can often retire from working entirely, female athletes typically face a much shorter career window that often concludes by age thirty. Huitema explained that she is pushing against this narrative by building a foundation for her future through investments in rental properties and her own business ventures. She credits her parents for instilling these values at a young age and relies on a trusted financial adviser to help navigate her long-term success.
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Huitema also maintains a disciplined lifestyle at home, specifically through a hanger rule that prevents her from accumulating excess clothing. This rule dictates that for every new piece of clothing she adds to her closet, an old one must be removed, ensuring her wardrobe stays updated without becoming overwhelming. While shopping, she focused on versatile items like a leather jacket and a neutral skirt, eventually adding a beaded bag and a red belt to satisfy the festive holiday party assignment. Her final tally came to $285, comfortably under the established budget.
Ultimately, Huitema’s participation in the series highlights the importance of financial literacy for athletes who may not have traditional degrees to fall back on. She maintains that while she enjoys fashion, confidence is the most important element of any outfit. By utilizing vision over high-cost items, she proves that it is possible to find hidden gems in thrift stores or sales and still present a sophisticated image. The finished look served as a practical example of how athletic discipline can be applied to financial management and personal expression alike.
