That fateful straw that cripples the poor proverbial camel is not from some super-heavy GM crop. Likewise, it’s the more mundane and easily overlooked costs that can dump you in debt just when you thought you were in the clear. It’s a looking-after-the-pennies thing.

Washing powder, cleaning products, toiletries, kitchen towels, toilet paper… they may be little things, but, as anyone who’s ever realised they’ve run out of toilet roll at a critical moment should recognise, they’re not expenses you want to skimp on. These are areas where a household kitty could come in handy.

You can economise by not using Clinique and designer smellies. To paraphrase L’Oréal, you may be worth it – but you can’t afford it. Don’t be afraid of own brand stuff – try Superdrug, Boots (make sure you get hold of one of their Advantage cards, for extra bonuses) and supermarkets for affordable lotions and potions. Though if you’re comfortable making your own soap from the bins out the back of the liposuction clinic (à la ‘Fight Club’), go ahead.

Laundry costs (washing powder, electricity or launderette charges) can add up though there is, of course, the option of never washing or doing laundry. It has been known for students to get four days’ wear out of their pants through ‘quartering’ (wear them for a day, turn them back to front, wear them for another day, inside-out another day, inside-out and back to front… voilà, four days’ wear). However, this route to cost cutting can mean you need to spend more on your social life to keep any friends.

And, by the way, have you ever experienced the mindless tedium of trying to iron your clothes? In fact, do you even own an iron? (Most university rooms will have a communal ironing board that doesn’t stay up, and an iron that doesn’t work. In which case you can pick up a perfectly good iron for under £20. Oops, there goes another note.) As soon as your clothes are dry hang them up if needs be and you should be able to avoid this pointless activity. If you prefer your jeans with a crease down the front though, it's time to go back home for the weekend and tell your mum how much you love her…

• Clothes
• Dosh drains: where the money goes

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