It’s World Cup time, and the world is currently riveted by the back and forth action on the fields in South Africa. Here’s the problem – for a sport with almost no equipment, the costs associated with playing and even watching soccer these days can really add up. Getting your auto insurance quotes online can help. Just imagine what you could do if you could put hundreds of dollars back in your bank account instead of using it to pay your insurers.

And imagine what having that money in your bank account could mean when the time comes to support your soccer addiction!

First, consider the players. The World Cup guys probably aren’t worried about where their stuff is coming from, but why should they have all the fun? No matter the age, if you’re playing soccer with any regularity, you’re going to want to invest in the following:

Shoes – whether they’re cleats or regular sneakers, soccer shoes get shredded pretty quickly.

Shin Guards – These lovely plastic leg covers can help take some of the damage from a missed kick or a fall. Then again, blue and purple can look pretty tough, so it’s your call.

Good socks – These need to fit properly to hold up the shin guards, and they need to be of decent quality to absorb the sweat from your feet without getting crunchy. Yes, crunchy.

Uniform or other clothes that can take a beating and a soaking – Soccer, even for the goalie, means sweating, sliding, and strain. Clothes get pulled, dragged on grass, and thoroughly drenched with sweat, and they need to be light enough that you can run in them.

Ball – well, it is soccer, after all.

Spectators don’t have it easy financially, either. That’s why we recommend shopping for auto insurance online instead of signing on the dotted line with the first agent to flash discounts your way! Even those not on the field require the following to survive some of these intense, 90 minute games:

Tickets – this year, that means plane tickets as well as game tickets, which aren’t going to be cheap.

Cable, Satellite, Etc., – If you already have your favorite way of watching set up, great! If not, now’s the time to upgrade that ESPN package. Last time I checked, this still wasn’t free…

Food – In the stadium, this will definitely be pricey, but even at home, you’re going to want to make sure you have enough snacks to get you through the games you plan to watch. If you plan on catching all 64 games, you may want to have a potluck party or two or eight to defer the cost of comestibles. This is exactly why those warehouse club stores were invented!

Drink – Teetotallers save big here, but you know your own needs and budget.

Travel – getting to and from the stadium, the sports bar, or a world cup party is going to cost you time and gas. If you can move in with your soccer friends for the summer, you may save a few dollars in this department. If you do end up driving to and fro, wouldn’t it be nice to know that, at least, your car insurance was doing its part to help defer these expenses?

Chances are that, if you’re on the team, you’re riding the team bus and not worried about auto insurance (or shopping for auto insurance quotes online) right now. Well done, my friend. Well done. Everyone else, wait until the post-game show, then hop on the computer. If you qualify for big savings, your savvy online habits will help provide the dough you need to support your soccer habits all summer long. moving quotes near me