“It’s once in a lifetime.”
I’ve heard that phrase a lot lately.
And to be fair… for many people, the FIFA World Cup in Canada really is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The atmosphere is electric.
The memories are unforgettable.
The experience is incredible.
So this isn’t a blog telling you not to go.
It’s a blog asking a different question.
What are we giving up without realizing it?
We’re Living in a Time of Contradictions
Every day I hear people say:
“Homes are impossible to afford.”
“The cost of living is out of control.”
“I’ll never be able to buy a home.”
Then, in the same week, some of those same people are financing vacations, carrying credit card balances at nearly 20% interest, buying $500 concert tickets, or spending thousands on FIFA.
Again…
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying life.
The issue isn’t the purchase.
It’s whether the purchase is aligned with your long-term goals.
Small Decisions Become Big Numbers
Let’s put things into perspective.
A family of four attending a World Cup match could easily spend:
- Tickets
- Flights or fuel
- Hotel
- Food
- Merchandise
It’s not difficult to spend $5,000–$10,000 over a weekend.
That’s a meaningful amount of money.
Could it have been used differently?
Maybe.
Could it become part of a down payment?
Possibly.
Could it pay off a high-interest credit card?
Absolutely.
Does that mean you shouldn’t spend it?
Not necessarily.
But it’s worth asking yourself whether you’re making the decision intentionally—or emotionally.
The Real Cost Isn’t the Ticket
The real cost isn’t the FIFA ticket.
It’s the interest that comes afterward.
It’s the credit card balance that quietly grows month after month.
It’s convincing yourself that homeownership isn’t possible because everything is expensive, while unknowingly making choices that move the goalposts farther away.
Those decisions rarely happen all at once.
They happen one swipe at a time.
What If Homeownership Is Closer Than You Think?
One of the biggest surprises I see as a mortgage broker is how many people assume they can’t buy a home.
They’ve never asked.
They’ve never run the numbers.
They’ve simply assumed.
Sometimes they’re right.
But quite often…
They’re pleasantly surprised.
We’ve helped clients realize they were much closer than they thought because they finally looked at the numbers instead of the headlines.
Spend With Purpose
Life isn’t meant to be lived waiting for “someday.”
Go to the concert.
Travel.
Watch the match.
Celebrate with family.
Create memories.
But do it because you’ve made a conscious choice—not because you haven’t taken five minutes to understand what those choices mean for your future.
Financial freedom isn’t built by never spending money.
It’s built by spending it on purpose.
Before You Decide You Can’t…
If you’ve been telling yourself that homeownership is out of reach, I’d encourage you to challenge that assumption.
Let’s have a conversation.
No pressure.
No obligation.
Just real numbers and honest advice.
You might discover that your dream home is closer than you think.
And if not?
At least you’ll have a plan to get there.
Because the best financial decisions aren’t made based on fear.
They’re made with information.
Livian Smith
Mortgage Broker | Advice for Life
Helping Canadians make informed mortgage decisions—one conversation at a time.