Adults are indulging in childhood desires by spending their 'adult money' on toys and items they longed for as kids. Reddit users and Metro readers have shared their most iconic purchases, from a pink Lamborghini for a dog to a collection of gel pens.
Reddit Users Lead the Way
Redditor @DontCryYourExIsUgly shared that they bought 'a hot pink, battery-powered Lamborghini that a kid could actually sit in and drive, because I never got the Barbie Corvette I wanted so badly as a little girl.' She added that, given its intended for children, she puts her dog in it.
Meanwhile, @BabySealz4life got the pet she was never allowed growing up. 'My mom wouldn't let me have a bunny as a kid, and guess what? I have a bunny now, and he has lived with me for the past 12 years.'
Barbie Dolls and Thrifted Collections
Metro reader and record producer Will Twynham, 31, bought a 'California Dream' Barbie doll from 1987, which came with a blue flexidisc. 'I had to have it, so somehow I, a fully grown record guy, have ended up with a £70 boxed Barbie doll!' he laughs.
Carla Watkins, 40, also buys dolls, including Barbie, Ever After High, and Monster High. 'Whimsy and joy are non-negotiables for me, and I think the more stressful the world gets, the more we need escapism,' she says. '90% of my doll collection is thrifted, so I rarely pay more than £5 or so for a doll.' She also collects horse figurines, some as expensive as £70.
Gel Pens and Stationery Addiction
Ann Marie, 56, is addicted to buying pens. 'I started this passion at university when I went into the university book shop and saw gel pens. I buy pens at least once or twice a month. I have spent hundreds of pounds since 1993. It's my guilty pleasure.' Her collection includes fountain pens worth £50 each, filling five pen baskets, six pen pots, and five large baskets.
Fancy Dress and Tiaras
Metro's senior lifestyle reporter Courtney Pochin bought a tiara for £20 after seeing one on TikTok. 'I tend to put it in a cupboard with my headbands and hair accessories, and every now and then I come across it again and put it on for a bit as it's silly and fun.' She once wore it to a Bridgerton-themed event and wears it around the house when feeling down. 'It works like a charm. I have zero regrets.'
Deputy TV editor Tom Percival bought a £250 Kylo Ren costume for a Halloween party. 'I got three or four full uses out of the full costume.' He won best costume at a Star Wars night in a Manchester nightclub. 'I kept the scarf from the costume, and it kept me warm through several Manc winters. No regrets.'
Why Adults Buy Childhood Items
Dr Steven Mahan-Taylor, Clinical Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at London Bridge Therapy, explains: 'Buying something we longed for as children isn't usually just about the object itself. More often, it's about what that object represents psychologically: freedom, possibility, comfort, achievement or belonging.' He adds: 'As adults, having the financial freedom to buy something we've always wanted can therefore feel incredibly liberating because it represents autonomy as much as affordability.'
Nostalgia also plays a role: 'It's less about reliving childhood and more about reconnecting with the emotions associated with that time. A toy, games console or collectable may remind us of excitement, family, friendships or simpler times, meaning we're often seeking the feelings attached to the memory rather than the object itself.'
More Reddit Favourites
The r/ask subreddit features hilarious 'adult money' purchases, including a flamethrower, birthday cake whenever wanted, two replica swords (Templar and Aragorn's), a Costco kiddie pool, chocolate milk, and a GI JOE Aircraft Carrier.
