Of course, the cost does not have to be exorbitant. Scout for tickets in the nosebleed section, rather than on the 50-yard line. Bunk with friends in the area instead of paying insane hotel markups. Take redeye flights with connections.

Also, do not expect too much. You can forget about seeing every replay from 10 different angles, to be debated by panel of ex-pros in a luxury booth.

Instead you're going to be outside, probably a long way from the action, without your trusty flatscreen and no fridge full of snacks.

That is what financial adviser Keith Singer of Boca Raton, Florida, found when he saw the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl 10 years ago.

"It was really hard to see the game from where I was, and I missed all the pregame shows because I was at the stadium," he says. "I probably wouldn't go to another Super Bowl again. There's no better view than in front of your giant TV, with all the refreshments and food you could want right at your fingertips."

But even folks watching at home are preparing to fork out for the big day. The National Retail Federation's Super Bowl Spending survey estimates that 184 million viewers will be spending a combined $14.3 billion - an average of $77.88 - on food, gameday gear, decorations and TVs.

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