Transumerism - the luxury lifestyle revolution.
Like so many trends, transumerism is one that begun at the top end of the market. In what is often referred to as the 'Internet age,' the marketers of luxury goods and services have begun to answer the call of the 'want-it-now' generation by offering more affordable low-hassle business models that free the consumer from the traditional burdens of ownership.
In essence, in a time where you can get music, movies, shopping and information on any subject imaginable with a couple of clicks of your mouse, people are expecting wider elements of their life to be available with such ease. For better or for worse, consumers want all things to be available with swift broadband ease, the actual ownership of goods is not valued but, instead, the focus is on the experiences that those goods can provide. Living, as we do, in uncertain times, we are moving towards becoming a more experiential-centred culture.
Many of the top business earners are cash-rich yet time-poor and want to experience the luxuries that their income and status traditionally provided. These include designer accessories, expensive cars, membership of the best golf courses and holiday homes, as well as the über-luxury goods previously only available to the mega-rich and/or famous, including yachts, private aviation and dabbling in pastimes such as racehorse ownership.
Although keen to experience these facets, the economically savvy realise that many of these indulgences tie up large sums of money in things that are actually, at best, sitting idle for most of the year or, in most cases, actually draining their coffers with maintenance and depreciation.
As such, a breed of transumers or 'Fractional Lifers' have developed who, to take just one popular example, instead of purchasing outright a holiday property abroad, take advantage of fractional ownership opportunities in which the purchaser owns a share of the asset and retains the right to use the property for an agreed number of weeks per year. Other markets do not lend themselves traditionally to fractional ownership and, instead, offer to share company-owned assets to people on membership-based asset-sharing schemes. These schemes offer goods from designer handbags to £150k+ supercars for a fixed annual cost.
In the former case of handbags, this means that one always has access to the latest shoulder candy without having to spend thousands of pounds. The latter example of supercars negates the issue of lengthy waiting lists, running costs and depreciation, but still sees you behind the wheel of the world's most fabulous cars without the financial guesswork.
Although broader acceptance of fractional ownership and asset-sharing is a relatively new phenomena, the concept and application itself is nothing new. The private jet industry was one of the first to fully embrace fractionalisation and, as such, is the most mature market. It follows that newcomers to the marketplace can learn much from looking back to the early days of that industry.
With any rapidly expanding marketplace, there will be a number of fresh entrants looking to hitch a ride on the latest bandwagon. Some will fall by the wayside early on and others will succeed and expand the market. Our aim at Fractional Life is to guide you through the opportunities available from our pre-approved Fractional Life partners and ensure that you get to enjoy your lifestyle, when you want it.
Further information on the fractional ownership and asset-sharing categories are available by clicking on the links on the left hand side.
Articles
Fraction Ownership:
Are You A Fractional Lifer?
Life is all about living
Sharing in the dream
Transumerism- the luxury lifestyle revolution.
All My Possessions
Fractional Ownership v Timeshare
Turn the Pound into your Dollar advantage
What is Fractional Ownership?
Our Top 10 Favourite Fractional Life Deals
Fractional Business Sense
Aircraft & Jets:
Can't afford that jet? Rent it
How Private Aviation Works
Joining the Jet Set
Art:
Fractional art donations prove charity starts at home
Boats & Yachts:
Fractionalize This
Classic Cars:
Fractional Life hits Le Mans
You've Always Loved Cars?
Why not rent?
Getting the most out of your fractional car club experience
Classic Car Club Feature
Corporate Hospitality:
So Long to the Suite Life
Destination Clubs:
Bear Mountain Resort - A View from Paradise
Fractional Ownership: Why the Boomers will change second home ownership in the US
I'd Rather Be Safe with a Fractional Residence...
Destination & Private Residence Clubs
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
Handbags:
Swap a Fendi for a Furla
Helicopters:
Flying without Wings
Luxury Vehicles:
Denver RV show ready to roll
Properties:
Saving Homes, Homeowners and Banks Through Fractional Ownership?...
Fractional Ownership: Why the Boomers will change second home ownership in the US
The Benefits of Fractional Ownership in Private Residence Clubs
Why Fractional Property?
Keep The Door Open
Fractional Ownership? We'll have a piece
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
Racehorses:
Running Down a Dream
A Horse by The Name of Fractional Life
Supercars:
Ascari Racing Festival Weekend
Fractional Life hits Le Mans
So Why Not Buy?
Supercars- The cars of 2006/7
Let's Take The Lamborghini
Vineyards & Wine:
Fractional Vineyards and Wine
