John Waters: Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought? — FLAPSS

Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have 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 John Waters said elsewhere, not written here

It's bad taste to brag about money.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Others on this question

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My children’s education.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 June 2025 source ↗

Paul Merson English footballer and pundit

Thirty-odd years ago I bought a black pinstripe suit which I thought was £900. But when I went to pay that was just the jacket – the trousers and waistcoat were extra. I didn’t have the balls to put anything back. I dread to think how much it cost me in the end.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 January 2023 source ↗

Miriam Margolyes

Every time I got a lucrative voiceover, I bought a picture. The most expensive was by James Gillray.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Emeli Sandé British singer

A Feurich piano: one of the first things I bought when I could afford it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 January 2017 source ↗

More from John Waters

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Question What song would you like played at your funeral? Death & what remains

Don't Play Me Cheap, sung by Tina Turner when she was still with Ike.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Question What does love feel like? Relationships

A wonderful, terribly exciting disease.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Question What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Time & hindsight

A 'no' is free.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Question What is your greatest fear? Identity & self

Losing my mind and not knowing it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Question What is the worst thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

'Do you have a hobby?' It was a journalist. I went into a tirade: 'How dare you presume I'm a dabbler!'

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Question What keeps you awake at night? Daily life

Nothing, I can sleep everywhere but an aeroplane.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

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