SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) If you’re like many football fans, your love of the game comes at a cost.

A recent national survey by Experian found that fans are planning to spend an average of $743 this season on football-related expenses, with 29% of respondents saying they will spend more than $1,000.

Beyond the cost of tickets, tailgates and game-streaming services, some football fans are willing to put their money on the line in more serious ways, too. In fact, 1 in 5 professional football fans would take on more than $5,000 of debt if it meant their team won the Big Game this season.

“Cheering on your favorite team or planning for life’s big moments doesn’t have to break the bank,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of public education and advocacy at Experian. “Taking a financial timeout to review your finances and budget can help you get the most out of your money.”

Whether you’re a devoted fan or a casual viewer, you can score a financial touchdown during football season and beyond by following these game-changing financial pointers:

1. Pay bills on time. Don’t fumble bill payments. Your bill payment history is an important factor in calculating your credit score. Even one late or missed payment can have a negative impact, whereas making payments on time can bolster your credit score for years to come.

2. Leverage tools. Look into financial products that help your money work for you. For example, the new Experian Smart Money Digital Checking Account & Debit Card embeds Experian Boost to allow you to contribute payments for eligible bills such as utilities, residential rent and telecommunications to your Experian credit file to potentially increase your credit scores.

3. Keep your credit utilization rate low. Your credit utilization rate is the amount of credit you're currently using divided by the total amount of credit you have available. Credit scoring models generally interpret a low credit utilization rate as an indication that you’re doing a good job of managing credit and keeping spending in check.

4. Build a budget. A budget is a spending playbook that can help you practice responsible financial habits and live within your means. It needn’t require too much detail. Simply categorizing spending into a few overall buckets will do the trick.

5. Frequently check your credit. Monitoring your credit score and credit reports can help you identify changes and course-correct if necessary. It’s recommended to check these regularly, especially before you plan to open new lines of credit or make a big purchase.

For more information, visit experian.com/smartmoney.

Don’t get financially sidelined. By reviewing your credit and budget and by leveraging helpful resources, you can survive the season with your wallet intact.

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The Experian Smart Money Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International. Banking services provided by CFSB, Member FDIC. Experian is a Program Manager, not a bank.

Experian Boost results will vary. Not all payments are boost-eligible. Some users may not receive an improved score or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost. Learn more at https://www.experian.com/help/boost-disclosure.html.

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