fleece, cage, bedding

Fleece is definitely cheaper. One layer is best (I experimented using different underbeddings and different number of layers of fleece, using water). It does stay a little soppy (not really that much) for a little bit after having been wet but it goes away. Underbedding you can use towels (I like microfiber towels because they are more absorbent, but they are more expensive and regular ones work fine), mattress pads (100% cotton are more absorbent, but again more expensive and non 100% cotton work fine to) comforters, puppy pads (If you are trying to save money, you wouldn't want to use puppy pads, because you have to keep buying) or anything else you can think of that is some sort of cloth or so that is absorbent would be fine. Newspaper gets smelly really quickly and IMO is not worth using it, because you would have to change it so frequently.