Alex Lawther: 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

My partner was doing a play in Hong Kong last year and I went to visit him, and I bought him a beautiful teacup. But I didn’t look at the price tag before I took it to the till and it was £100, the most expensive teacup imaginable.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 September 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 198 →

Matthew Kelly

Insurance – it’s such a scam.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 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 ↗

Maya Jama British television and radio presenter

My Birkin bags, which I plan to pass on to my future children.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗

Kwame Kwei-Armah Actor and playwright

A family holiday – anywhere the kids demand. Last year, I wanted us all to go to Egypt and my daughter said, “No, we’re going to go to Grenada.” So we did.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 October 2018 source ↗