Overspending on Sports Events

How much do you think it costs the average family of 4 to attend an NFL game? If you guessed $500, you’re right! That includes four tickets, small beverages, hot dogs, parking and two cheap hats. Wow!

Attending a National Hockey League or NBA game costs somewhere around $300s, and a Major League Baseball game came in at just over $200.

In fact, a new study conducted by CreditCards.com reveals that over the past year, Americans spent $100 billion on sports.  $56 billion was spent on sporting events, $33 billion was spent on sports equipment and $19 billion on gym memberships. We’re obsessed!

Compare that to the $27 billion we spent on books in 2015, and you see how money reveals priorities.

No wonder so many are living paycheck to paycheck and have no emergency savings.

Think about First John 2:16-18,

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

God desires that we remember the poor, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unstained from the world. We’re to be cheerful givers, supporting and serving our local church.

Americans need to soberly number their days. “… just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying sports or other forms of entertainment – as long as it is affordable and you are not controlled by it. Find some cheap tickets, eat before the game, and skip the souvenirs!

If you want to take the first step towards financial freedom, make some biblically-based financial goals. Crown’s Money Map makes this easy! Download yours for free at crown.org/moneymap.