A new study shows that having friends doesn't come cheap, as devoted pals fork out up to 30-thousand euro over a lifetime.

According to a study by TopCashback best friends blow €300 on birthday presents, almost €200 is spent to help a mate through a breakup and a further €300 is dropped on pointless holiday gifts.

And distance does not break up a close friendship as we fork out a whopping €23,000 on travel to see each other despite being miles apart because of university, jobs and marriage.