6 super dumb Super Bowl money moves

The biggest football game of the year doesn't have to leave you with a super hole in your budget. Or land you in a field of mounting debt because you let your emotions get the best of you.

No matter which team you're rooting for (and even if you're watching the Super Bowl just for the commercials), make sure you avoid these emotional Super Bowl money moves.

The play: Being the hero by splurging - even if it means going into debt - on a 65-inch 3D plasma HDTV.

Your move: This impulse purchase will haunt you for Super Bowls to come, says Andrew K. Johnson of GreenPath Debt Solutions. "If you just pay the minimum monthly credit card payment, coupled with interest, on this one big-ticket item, you could be feeling the effects for many, many Super Bowls to come." And think how outdated that 3D HDTV is going to be in just one year!

The play: Telling your friends they don't need to bring anything to your party - you'll cover it. Then you blow $1,000 at Whole Foods when Tostitos and Domino's wings would be sufficient.

Your move: Plunking down a ton of cash could make your guests uncomfortable. "If they're expecting pizza and wings and you roll out lavish food, they could feel like you're flaunting your checking account balance, even if you're bluffing and can't afford the food, in their face," says Johnson.

It could also leave your checking account balance so low that you can't buy groceries until next pre-season.

Instead, Johnson suggests making food part of the main event. "Have friends sign up and be judged for the best themed dessert, dip, etc. to keep costs down and have money for lunch next week," he says.

The play: Putting your name on too many squares on office Super Bowl pools.

Your move: Office squares are fun, but, much like the lottery, are profitable to only a very few. Plus you don't want to look desperate to win by loading up the grid, do you? What if you shell out money for all those squares and end up with tough numbers like 2, 5 or 8 and the score is 0-0 through the third quarter?

Joel Ohman, a Certified Financial Planner in Tampa, Florida, says you'll sidestep that Monday-morning-office-football-square-hangover playing one square versus 15. "If you feel the urge to play more, stash the money you'd spend on the other squares in your savings account for a victory dinner if your team wins. At least you'll get a meal instead of throwing away all that money."

The play: Running out the night before the game to buy jerseys for your entire family.

Your move: It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and want to show off how much you're rooting for your team.

But official NFL jerseys can cost $100 or more each. For a family of four, that's $400! Scale back to t-shirts and put the rest of the money towards your clothing allowance.

"The jersey is likely going to end up in the closet the rest of the year, but a new winter coat will keep you warm through next season," says Johnson. And knock one thing off your list of things you "need" to buy versus those you "want."

The play: Deciding on Saturday morning to buy a "cheap" ticket on StubHub to the game in Dallas, and forgetting the cost of airfare, hotel and food, not to mention souvenirs.

Your move: Diving into an impetuous purchase can leave you holding more than an empty wallet. Besides the fact that a "cheap" ticket could cost more than $2,000, a hasty commitment might leave you sacrificing long-term goals to fully fund the trip.

"Before hitting 'purchase' try to temper the thrill of going to the game with 'where will I sleep and how will I get to the game once I'm in Dallas'," Ohman says.

Instead of getting caught up in the moment, Johnson suggests waiting until the next pre-season opens up. "Squirrel away money in a high APY savings account to be able to purchase tickets to go to a game and have enough money to buy a few hot dogs and popcorn, too," he says.

The play: Buying enough bottles of expensive champagne to hand one out to everyone at the party if your team wins.

Your move: Instead of stopping by the liquor store, head to the grocery store. "Opting for bottles of carbonated flavored water is better for your budget and your legal defense fund," says Ohman.

Not only will flavored water keep your name off a lawsuit in the event someone drinks and drives, it will increase the odds you'll have money left over to invite everyone back over to celebrate your team's home opener in the fall.

6 super dumb Super Bowl money moves was written by Gina Roberts-Grey, a writer for SavingsAccounts.com, a website where you can research the best savings accounts and compare high yield cds.

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