Have fun, but let's not break the bank, eh?
Credit: TD Bank
If it feels like South Florida is one nonstop ticketed event lately, you’re not wrong, folks. Between the afterglow of Ultra Music Festival and Miami Music Week, the return of Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix and a looming FIFA World Cup takeover, the region is entering a stretch where FOMO can get expensive—fast. And for locals trying to balance real life with once-in-a-lifetime moments, the question becomes: how do you actually afford the fun?
A recent TD Bank Credit Card Pulse Check survey offers a telling snapshot. While groceries dominate spending at 46%, entertainment and going out still carve out a notable 6%, ranking fourth overall behind gas and dining. Translation: even in a high-cost environment, people are prioritizing experiences. The catch? Those experiences often come layered with hidden costs like rideshares, last-minute lodging and “just one more drink” energy that adds up quickly.
“With South Florida heading into another stretch of high-profile and sometimes costly events, it’s important for consumers to make room for fun in their budget without letting impulsiveness drive any overspending,” Mandy Kelso, Head of Financial Education at TD Bank U.S., tells Browardist.
Another TD study—the Financial Preparedness Survey—suggests consumers are getting smarter, though. About 24% of respondents now follow the “24-hour rule,” pausing before making impulse purchases. That might not always work for high-demand concert or race tickets, but it signals a broader shift toward more intentional decision-making, even when the pressure to buy now is real.
That’s where a little strategy comes into play. Instead of reacting to every buzzy lineup drop or resale alert, financial experts say locals should treat experiences like any other planned expense, something mapped out ahead of time rather than figured out after the fact.
“One realistic approach is to set a dedicated entertainment budget before buying tickets, booking travel or committing to dinners and add-on experiences, so you know what you can realistically afford,” Kelso says. “[Related to the 24-hour rule], sleeping on it can help you process the decision and understand what is doable in your day-to-day budget especially when it comes to non-urgent purchases. It's about taking a step back, analyzing what works for so that you so that ultimately you make more confident financial decisions in both the short and long-term.”
In other words, yes—go to the race, hit the concerts, lean into the global spotlight. Just don’t let the vibe empty your bank account. Because, well, the next big thing is always right around the corner here.
