The good news is that you have time to start saving towards your 2010 budget. By budgeting effectively you will be free to enjoy the spectacle without creating undue financial stress.

The Teacher has put together a budget guide for a family of four. It is important to consider all the expenses you will incur, not just the ticket price. It is usually those extras that we don't budget for that hurt our pocket the most.

These are examples of what you could spend. You can adjust it to fit your own budget — you may want to go to only one game or you may want to go to the finals. Whatever you decide, use this guideline to work out your total cost.

Budget for two matches for a family of four:

  • Total ticket cost: R2 660

    Only South Africans are able to apply for Category 4 tickets, which are behind the goals. These are the most inexpensive seats, making it affordable to take your kids along.

  • Four tickets for a group match at R140 a ticket = R560

    Four tickets for a quarterfinal match at R525 a ticket = R2 100

    Other expenses:

    Transport: R160

    Taxi fare at R20 per person = R80 a match

    Refreshments: R400

    Four MacDonald's family meals

    with drinks at R50 = R200 a match

    Souvenirs: R960

    Four 2010 caps/T-shirt at R200 = R800

    Four vuvuzelas at R40 = R160

    Grand total: R4 180

    The savings plan:

    You will need to save R300 a month. Although this may sound like a lot, when you break it down to a daily cost it is far more manageable.

    If you start saving today, you will need to put R10 every day until the start of the World Cup -— that is less than a packet of cigarettes or a litre of coke. That relatively small daily sacrifice will save you far more in the long term. If you do not save upfront and rather choose to put the costs on your credit card, after interest costs, it will take you a year to repay at a rate of R400 a month.

    And the worst part is that you will be paying it off for much longer than the thrill of the game will last.