The question
Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this standing prompt, with minor contractions and word-order variation.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
A painting of a man who was killed on the Dutch coast in 1600.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2026 source ↗
My wedding. It was at Skibo Castle long before Madonna or any of those people went there.
My children’s education.
I once bought the most expensive moisturiser in the shop and it brought me out in spots. Lesson learned.
I don’t own a property. The carpet in our flat; it’s not fancy or anything.
Moments of vanity, carelessness and unkindness.
The US election showed me that I had trapped myself in wishful thinking.
Having somebody pull my judo trousers down at a competition when I was seven. And finding I wasn’t wearing any pants.
Surprise. Smiles. Courage. Safety.
That I am not wise.
I become very anxious if I think I’ve hurt someone.
Robert Peston, John Prescott, Emma Barnett, Anita Rani, Kellie Maloney, Jon Snow
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