Paul Heaton: Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?

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 Paul Heaton said elsewhere, not written here

My first car, three years ago – a Toyota Verso.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2020 source ↗

Others on this question

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Maggie O'Farrell Irish-British novelist

All my clothes are secondhand, but I did buy a pair of new silver Vivienne Westwood shoes to get married in, which I still have.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 March 2023 source ↗

Warren Buffett Chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, 1970–2025

Some material things make my life more enjoyable; many, however, would not. I like having an expensive private plane, but owning a half-dozen homes would be a burden. Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner.

Recorded His own pledge letter, written on joining the Giving Pledge in 2010, The Giving Pledge, 2010 source ↗

Ben Okri

A Dalí painting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

David Arquette American actor, producer, & former professional wrestler

I collect old costumes: I have one of Johnny Cash’s, and Liberace’s shoes.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 January 2021 source ↗

More from Paul Heaton

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Question How close have you come to death? Death & what remains

Again, too many times to mention, but probably being swung from the balcony at the top of the Columbia hotel in London by the bodyguard of a Saudi Arabian princess was fairly close.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2020 source ↗