The ultimate in spontaneous spending is finally hitting the globe - the World Cup. If you need a reason to spend money then a sporting festival of this magnitude may be the excuse you've been looking for.

For those who've headed over to the World Cup reports have run amok that if you hadn't bought your tickets prior to the games, scalpers were willing to pass up basic seats for a minimum EUR250. Some were getting as high as EUR500 for seats that didn't even have the greatest views. Add your limited accomodation requirements on to the bill, plus the increased food charges, have-to-have sporting paraphernalia and you can kiss your budget goodbye.

But the frenzy doesn't stop in Germany. Direct Line Home Insurance conducted a survey of 2500 adults and found that one in 5 were planning to purchase a new TV prior to the world cup. Add to that new satellite connections, DVD Recorders, surround sound systems and Direct Line is predicting more than £1 billion will be generated from those who didn't make the pilgrimage.

If these purchases were made due to people saving then it we would all give them 3 cheers and congratulate their perseverance. Alas, most of these new gadgets will come at a price that will continue well after the World Cup has finished.

And some marketers will be rubbing their hands with glee, congratulating themselves on the success of an advertising campaign that helped people spend money they didn't have for things they eventually won't need.