How much more essential is doing what is right, and not what is popular, in today's Internet, cell phone, social media world?
It's easy to go over the top with freshers' week spending, but it's best to be cautious until you have a sense of how much the essentials cost.
Do not fall into the temptation of buying items placed in the check-out lane; no matter how much they are "essential" to your daily life.
Budgeting is the tried and tested way of keeping on top of your outgoings, but be realistic about how much you need for essential items, and cut down on non-essential expenses.
And if such conditions are desirable in a home such as mine, how much more desirable – how essential – they should be in a home where the residents need intensive levels of care.
The OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment PISAA) surveys 15-year-olds across the world to see how much knowledge and skills essential for full participation in society they have acquired.
"How much you charge for essentials is always a moral issue," he said.
It will take, he suggests, a global leadership class that can answer essential questions: How much leverage should be allowed?
