Bear Grylls: Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

An apocalypse escape vessel – a steel hull ice-capable sailing boat for all the family that has almost zero electronics and is manual operation throughout – armed with an array of weaponry.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Kiefer Sutherland British and Canadian actor

Aside from a car, it would be a guitar. I used to have almost 100, but now I am down to 22.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 September 2017 source ↗

Edward Fox British actor

Probably a suit. If you buy a good suit, it lasts beyond your lifetime.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 April 2017 source ↗

Julien Macdonald Welsh fashion designer

A very expensive watch. I can’t tell you what it is – I’ll get robbed.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 October 2016 source ↗

Julie Hesmondhalgh English actress and narrator

An old camper van that has cost me more in repairs than my house, my wedding and all the holidays I’ve ever been on.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 February 2018 source ↗