To ask what expensive thing you have which you think was well worth the cost?

[Northernlurker]

I got my bugaboo out of the garage today. It's nearly ten years old and I'm giving it to my sister for her baby. I can't believe what good nick it's in. Everything fabric wise can be washed, I've ordered one new wheel and tilt buttons because they were a bit dodgy but everything else is perfect. I've also ordered a new mattress obviously. I think it's fab that you can go on the bugaboo site and order parts for something nearly a decade old.

What do you have that was expensive but so so worth it.

Oh and forgot my Kenwood Chef. It's a fantastic bit of kit worth every penny of its £400.

Paying for 5 children at private school and university/post grad over nearly 30 years - about £1m+. Well worth the money. Well worth my working full time.

My house

Other than that I am not really into material things.

Mty career and ability to stay healthy and fit are probably my biggest assets after the children.

IVF
the cat (from a rescue centre but lots and lots of vet's bills)
every cashmere jumper I've ever bought

Our kitchen extension.
Incredibly expensive and stressful process but transformed our house and made it easier to spend time together as a family.

My DD. 4 rounds of IVF at the two most expensive clinics in London, followed by a private C Section from the best obstetrician in the country because I was not taking any bloody chances.

Huge congratulations to Blondes, read your posts for years and have everything crossed for you.

I also recommend GHD, Parlux and estate jewellery (no RRP and no VAT) for very low cost per use and lasting pleasure.

My Kitchen Aid. It is absolutely wonderful and I use it so often.

Bainbridges (now John Lewis)terry towelling white babygrows. They were £21 for a pack of two, in 1989. Since then they have been washed, boil washed and hung out on the line for 9 babies. They are still soft and fluffy, ready for the baby, of the first baby who wore them.

For DCs the Baby Bay bed - bought in desperation and from the first night we put the first one in it it completely changed our lives. DC2 is 4 months old and barring poorly spells sleeping through from 7.30pm to 6am and the Baby Bay is key to that imho.

For me (if blessed sleep wasn't enough), the laptop I'm writing on. (Nerd alert) It has a solid state hard drive and 16gb of RAM. It is great for my work and very fun for gaming. I wasn't sold on SSDs and my husband convinced me to go for it. Love it!

Lots of things people are mentioning that I'd really love!

Robot Hoover, citizen eco drive watch - no batteries to replace it recharges in light, also my lumiere alarm clock, which makes very dark very early morning starts almost bearable

I'm really hoping someone is going to come on and say that they absolutely adore their exorbitant Dyson hair dryer, and that it's the best thing every for frizzy, sort of curly, thick hair and it turns into Kate Middleton's hair every day. Anyone?

I was so tempted to buy one last week but haven't quite been able to justify the cost yet. However Dyson is getting a lot of love on this thread, which I am taking as further encouragement..!

A longines watch. Best thing was, I was umming and aahing about spending that much on a watch, walked past the shop a few days later, and it had been reduced by £500. I felt very smug. .

DS's education also. He is 6, severely autistic and filled with a myriad of phobias and fears and anxieties. He was struggling big time and we moved him to a very small school that has great sn provision. 18 months now and he is a different child. :) DH lost his job earlier this year, but has just launched his own start-up and my work is a bit stagnant as reliant on EU funding and my one and only priority is to keep him in the school.

Custom frame road bike

Also the children's bikes (we have 5 Islabikes of various sizes and types)
The children's curtains (hand made to fit difficult sized Windows, interlined and with blackout linnings).

My house. Considering how difficult it is to get on the housing ladder these days.

Northernlurker a Chameleon3 - it was a grand new, I have a 3 year age gap between kids so it was literally days out of warranty when the handle started going all wobbly / they said I had to pay for a repair - I have a MacLaren XT which is far lighter so I just use that now instead! And advise any new parents I meet who ask - never buy a bugaboo travel system!

Our mattress. Cost ££££ 10 years ago and though I know you're supposed to replace them after ten years I can't bear to part with it. It just snuggles you in. Even insomnia is fine in it, it's so comfortable.

Horses. Ruinously expensive but make us happy.

My doggy she's a shih tzu. I love her to bits. She has brought me so much happiness

Another one for my house. I remortgaged last year to 5x my wages to buy ExH out so am broke from now til the end of time but it is so worth it.

My daughter. It took two rounds of iui, four of IVF and a private section. We never added it up but she is worth every penny.

For material things, I love my iPhone and iPad, and our feather-filled Natuzzi sofa. It's so comfy and looks like new.

May I ask which robot hoovers you all love so much?

For me it's renting in the right secondary catchment area.
Very expensive set of cutlery. A pleasure to eat with every time.

Can I just slightly derail the thread and ask what theses super-comfy mattresses are?

My house, which will be paid off in 8-10 years. Getting professional painters in rather than doing a bad job myself. A winter rain coat. Flights. Getting carpet cleaners in every 6-12 months. Getting my windows done regularly. Vet fees. I could go on and on!