I think I must be overpaying mine! I've just gone down to one from two. (Phew!) My son was on the old grant system and got his fees paid (but no money) so I paid £175, rising to £250 per month, and his rent. He was allowed about £1700 sinking to £900 "top-up" loan per year. What he ended up with was more or less the equivalent of a full loan. When his sister went, although she qualified for the basic loan (everyone does), I still kept her on the same system, plus I pay the fees. So she is much better off. I suppose there is some vague and futile hope that she won't blow the extra money...

Her brother used to be able to exist on baked beans and mince chilli concoctions, once he'd overspent in Cardiff, and so got friendly with local landlords and barmen so that he got cheap/free beer. He is still down there in South Wales and living quite cheaply. I suppose with his sister being on the loose in Liverpool it's too much to expect that she won't go out on the town. She's had to pay £80 for a term's bus season ticket, and she pays her own car expenses. Her books can be quite expensive too (Pharmacy) and she tends to share costs of these with one of her friends who she lives with and who is in the same groups. She will have some bills to pay on her house. She isn't bothered about using up her loan as she says she is assured of employment when she leaves. I must say, though, she eats a much healthier diet than her brother did.

Andrea - who had to survive on £13 per week in London in the 1970s. This to cover rent, food, tube fares, art equipment. (Social life - What social life?)