Ingrid: When I saw you on TV, I was a little amused that we were both doing the same thing by trying to promote financial literacy. What makes a football player decide to embark on this project?
Courtney: It was a mix of things. The pandemic, no CFL season, so had some time. I was also in a position where I wasn’t struggling and wanted to pay it forward. I also now have something for my kids to check out when they get older.

Ingrid: When you were playing in Northern Illinois, you tore your ACL. You said the experience made you stay hungry. Can you explain?
Courtney: It was hard. You leave everything to go do something specific, and it falls apart.

Ingrid: Kinda like booking a tour and having to cancel cuz of Covid.
Courtney: Yeah, and I had to dig deep to find the energy to persevere, stay in production. I did give myself a day or two to mourn, and then I picked myself back up and kept moving forward.

Ingrid: What’s the one song that when you hear it, you wanna bust-a-move and dance?
Courtney: Oh, I need to open my Spotify….I like Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa, even my toddler son loves that song. And Every Little Step by Bobby Brown.
Ingrid: Man, that’s an old one! (ITAM- I bust-a-move to She’s Kerosene by The Interrupters)

Ingrid: You talk a lot about real estate investment in your blogs. It seems like a pipe dream for many. What would you say to those thinking of getting in the market?
Courtney: Oh, definitely not an overnight thing. You need to look at it from a macro point of view. Where are you now? What’s your game plan over the next few years? It’s also important to build a strong credit history.

Ingrid: My parents were very careful with spending, and that was instilled in me. What big life lesson did your parents teach you?
Courtney: Delayed gratification. Today, it’s all about instant gratification. Any big purchase, I worked toward and put a goal plan in place and tried to stick to it. If I stuck to the plan my parents would help me out. (ITAM-I wanted a pair of Lee overalls. Mom said no. I saved my babysitting money. Rocked those things for years, and then cut them off as shorts).

Ingrid: Can you name 3 bands from Hamilton? And the Arkells don’t count.
Courtney: Awe man. I’m going to be honest. I don’t know any others. But I can name athletes! (of course, he can). There’s Kia Nurse and her brother Darnell. And their dad Richard played for the Ti-Cats too. And NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, love that guy.

Ingrid: Any last thoughts on money?
Courtney: Money is a vessel. It holds your time. So, when you spend your money think of the time you sacrificed to get it. You may be able to make more money, but you’ll never get that time back.