Kick-off is just 99 days away and South Africa's anticipation continues to grow despite the global economic recession. So, whether you've already got your tickets or whether you'll be watching from the couch - here are some things to keep in mind before this sporting extravaganza comes to our country:
- Budget: make sure you plan ahead and take some time to figure out how much you are going to need and what you'll be spending it on. If you are going to any of the games, you'll probably want refreshments, memorabilia, team shirts and all other kinds of goodies. Plan your monthly budget around this.
- Start saving: 99 days might not seem like a lot of time but it's plenty. If you start putting away just R5 or even R10 a day for five days a week and putting it into a short term savings account, you'll have money set aside so that you won't be left short when the big day comes. If you're worried about bank costs, you can also put the R5 in a jar every day. This way the whole family can see the money grow and get excited about the World Cup while seeing the real time benefits of saving.
- Invest: It's a biggie, but the South African Gold Coin Exchange have just released a limited edition World Cup coin collection and with gold being one of the most stable investments around, what better memorabilia is there?
Like with everything in life, planning ahead for this historic event is vital if you want to enjoy yourself without still paying off the debt when the vuvuzela is broken and the soccer shirt faded.
Whatever your needs, remember that you have the chance to be a part of history. From the couch, the stands or the pub, you will get to tell your grandkids: "I was there".