Money & investment

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

197 answers answered between 2003 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

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The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

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Robert Carlyle Scottish actor
My wedding. It was at Skibo Castle long before Madonna or any of those people went there.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 February 2008 source ↗
Alison Steadman British actress
I once bought the most expensive moisturiser in the shop and it brought me out in spots. Lesson learned.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 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 ↗
Nadiya Hussain British television chef, baker and author
A very expensive dehydrator (it cost £30). I’ve made raisins, banana chips and apple chips with it so far. It’s so addictive, I’ll probably start drying my kids soon.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 September 2016 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 ↗
Melanie Chisholm British pop singer
Holidays. In the Spice Girls, we found ourselves with quite a few quid, so it was lovely to hire a big house in the Caribbean and have friends and family over.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 October 2016 source ↗
Suzi Quatro American-British rock musician
A mink coat in 1975 (it was the done thing then). It cost me £5,500.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 November 2016 source ↗
Nicola Walker British actress
Ten years ago I bought a painting. I lived with it for a year before realising I didn’t like it at all. So it’s on my wall, mocking me daily.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 January 2017 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 ↗
Shappi Khorsandi Iranian-born British comedian
A walk-on part for my mum in Les Misérables. It was in a charity auction. She always dreamed of being in a West End show.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 February 2017 source ↗

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