Brits are spending their ‘adult money’ on childish buys in the ultimate use of free will

What purchase have you made once you had your own finances?(Picture:getty/ Myles Goode) As a child, you begged your parents for a puppy, a shiny new bike, or that Barbie dreamhouse you found in the Argos catalogue. Your wish-list items might have ended up under the Christmas-tree, or were met with a ‘maybe, darling’, until you eventually forgot about them. But as an adult — with your own free will and disposable income — the situation is a little different. With no parental-supervision (and often thanks to some cocktail-fuelled online shopping), you can buy those childhood toys you were desperate for, — even if there’s now absolutely no need for them. Shoppers have been sharing some of their ‘adult money’ buys on Reddit, and they’re nothing short of iconic. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. 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.’ If this isn’t free will, I don’t know what is (Picture: @DontCryYourExIsUgly) She added that, given its intended for children, she puts her dog in it. We’ll pause here for a round of applause. Meanwhile, @BabySealz4life got that 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.’ So, keen to hear what other nostalgic buys people have spent their cash on, we asked Metro readers and staff to confess all… Barbie dolls Whether she was a doctor, popstar or a paleontologist, there was a Barbie doll for every little kid — and it seems there’s one for a few adults too. Metro reader and record producer Will Twynham, 31, tells us: ‘In 1987 there was a “California Dream” Barbie, which, bizarrely, came with a blue flexidisc that, while credited to The Beach Boys, was actually a solo track by the founder, Brian Wilson. ‘This was big news, as he was practically a recluse at the time.’ So, what did Will do? Buy it, of course. ‘I had to have it, so somehow I, a fully grown record guy, have ended up with a £70 boxed Barbie doll!’ he laughs. Don't miss our Money tips! Add us as a Preferred Source At Metro Money, we're here to bring you all the latest news and advice on personal finance, cost of living, saving and investing. As part of our vibrant community of highly engaged readers, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Add us as a Preferred Source Our Money experts are here to give you the latest tips and insider guides Old toys seem to be a popular purchase for adults – a nostalgic throwback (Picture: Shutterstock / Ivonne Wierink) Fellow reader, Carla Watkins, has also found herself buying dolls, despite being 40-years-old. ‘Whimsy and joy are non-negotiables for me, and I think the more stressful the world gets, the more we need escapism,’ she says. ‘I love to spend my grown-up money on very non-grown-up things!’ Her doll collection is made up of ‘Barbie, Ever After High, MonsterHigh, Rainbow High, Disney dolls and mermaid dolls,’ though she says ‘90% of my doll collection is thrifted, so I rarely pay more than £5 or sofor a doll. I am really enjoying learning to restore them.’ Carla shares that she has a particular penchant for horse figurines, some as expensive as £70. ‘I’m very much a collector of what takes my fancy rather than a full set typecollector, and I love the joy of an unexpected find!’ Gel Pens No school pencil case was complete without a set of gel pens, and if they were scented, even better. It’s an obsession that Metro reader, 56-year-old Ann Marie, has continued into adulthood. ‘I’m addicted to buying pens,’ Ann Marie tells Metro. Admitting to ‘buying stationery for over 30 years and I cannot stop.’ ‘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.’ Ann Marie shares that her most expensive purchase, a fountain pen, is £50, of which she has more than a few. Her collection has amassed to five pen baskets, six pen pots and five large baskets to hold the haul. Fancy dress Metro’s senior lifestyle reporter, Courtney Pochin, admits to recently buying an item fit for a princess. She says, ‘I’ve always been obsessed with sparkly things since I was little. I was a big Disney princess fan, so when I came across a woman showing off her tiara collection on TikTok, I went online and ordered one for £20 without giving it a second thought. Courtney, explains that her buy was ‘mostly to spark joy. She says: ‘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.’ What better way to perk up your mood after a long day of work? (Picture: Courtney Pochin) And while you might think Courtney doesn’t get a lot of wear out of her tiara, you’d be very much mistaken. She adds: ‘I wouldn’t randomly wear it out of the house, but I did once wear it to a Bridgerton-themed event!’ ‘And whenever I’m feeling a bit down, I wear it around the house while doing mundane tasks to cheer myself up. ‘It works like a charm. I have zero regrets.’ Deputy TV editor Tom Percival also appears to have a penchant for fancy dress. The avid Star Wars fan bought a £250 ‘Kylo Ren costume (while shockingly single) for a friend’s Halloween party.’ ‘I got three or four full uses out of the full costume. Sadly, the last time I wore the whole ensemble was at a Star Wars night in a Manchester nightclub called Satan’s, which didn’t have the most pristine bathrooms.’ Move over Adam Driver (Picture: Tom Percival) But it wasn’t all bad, as that club night won Tom best costume, so ‘money well spent,’ he exclaims, adding, ‘I kept the scarf from the costume, and it kept me warm through several Manc winters.’ It might have cost a little more than throwing a sheet over himself and going as a ghost, but like Courtney, Tom confirms: ‘No regrets.’ So, why do we do this? ‘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,’ Dr Steven Mahan-Taylor, Clinical Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at London Bridge Therapy, tells Metro. As children, we don’t just lack money; we also lack agency. ‘Adults decide what we can have, whether something is “too expensive,” or whether we have to wait until a birthday or Christmas,’ says Dr Steven. ‘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 plays an important role, too. Dr Stephen continues: ‘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.’ Reddit's best random purchases The r/ask ‘I am an adult and no one can stop me purchase’ subreddit is a treasure trove of hilarious ‘adult money’ purchases. Here’s some of the best: ‘A flamethrower.’ @TheBourbonTurtle ‘I remember the life-altering moment when I realised I could have birthday cake whenever I wanted.’ @OliverTwist123. ‘I literally just bought two f** big swords, one replica of a Templar sword and the other Aragorn’s sword, cost me a liver but man how happy I am rn.’ @Loud-Assumption566. ‘I bought a Costco Kiddie Pool for myself to sit on my float in. I make a cocktail and roll up and relax all by myself.’ @Life_Inside2304. ‘Every time I buy chocolate milk, my inner six-year-old cackles in unrestrained glee. Stop me now, mom! @cherrycocktail20. ‘Purchasing all the toys I never had as a kid, like the GI JOE Aircraft Carrier.’ @KarateKid1984 Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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