Luxury goods are sometimes called the finer things in life. Think about those fancy sports cars, watches, handbags, shoes, and jewelry that can cost a mint. Those beautiful objects of desire are not at all necessary to support basic human needs, but they may make life a lot more enjoyable.
Demand for luxury goods is typically driven by perceived value (that is, being a status symbol) as much as product quality and design. Brand awareness is an important aspect of the luxury market. These high-end items from exclusive brands are expensive, putting them out of reach of many consumers, which can add to their allure.
If you’re simply curious about luxury goods or contemplating buying some, read on to understand what makes them special. You’ll learn:
• What is a luxury good?
• What makes luxury items different from other goods?
• Examples of luxury goods.
• The pros and cons of buying luxury items.
• How to afford luxury goods.
What Makes a Luxury Good ‘Luxury’?
Luxury items are defined by their exclusivity and higher cost, which limits access to them. To put it simply, they are expensive! Once a luxury item becomes more readily available at a lower price point, it may lose its appeal, and demand wanes.
Different cultures around the globe have varying tastes about what luxury goods are. That is, what is considered a highly desirable luxury good in one society may not be as valuable in another. However, there are brands that have become international icons of living well; you’ll learn more about them shortly.
Luxury goods are linked to the economics term “conspicuous consumption,” which occurs when consumers buy higher priced goods to display their wealth and class status. People who want to publicly communicate their economic and social status will buy luxury goods that signal that message. Purchasing luxury goods is typically tied to a consumer having more expendable cash. The item may not exactly be affordable given their income, but it could be more accessible as a splurge as their earning power rises.
Recommended: Questions You Should Ask Before Making an Impulse Buy
Examples of Luxury Items
What exactly is a luxury item? There are lots of examples in the $300 billion industry. Luxury products have traditionally included aspirational items, such as:
• Yachts
• Top-of-the-line cars
• Fine and antique furniture
• Art
• Furs
• Watches
• Jewelry
• Designer clothing and handbags
• Wine
• State-of-the-art electronics
• Cosmetics and fragrances
You’ll likely see some familiar names in the luxury goods market. Many companies have established themselves as luxury brands with their exclusive products.
Some of the top, recognizable luxury brands include:
• Porsche
• Ferrari
• Chanel
• Hermes
• Balenciaga
• Alexander McQueen
• Louis Vuitton
• Burberry
• Gucci
• Cartier
• Tiffany & Co.
• Rolex
• Dior
• Prada
• Bulgari
When you see those names when shopping, you probably are looking at what are known as luxury items.
Recommended: 39 Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth in 2023
Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.
No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.
Up to 4.20% APY on savings balances.
Up to 2-day-early paycheck.
Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance.
Pros of Purchasing Luxury Goods
If you’re looking at purchasing a luxury item for the first time, there’s more to it than its price tag. Purchasing a luxury item can bring other benefits. These can include:
• Status
• Better quality products
• Better service at retail locations or service centers
• Better resale value than other goods
• Strong value appreciation in some goods (such as jewelry or art)
• Exclusivity
Recommended: Different Ways to Earn More Interest on Your Money
Cons of Purchasing Luxury Goods
Conversely, purchasing a luxury item isn’t always a good idea. Some of the downsides to purchasing luxury goods include:
• High cost
• Money used to purchase a luxury good could be used elsewhere
• Can lead to more conspicuous consumption
• Depreciation on certain goods may be high
• Can undermine confidence; some people wind up feeling inauthentic (as if they are “faking it”) after spending a lot of cash on luxury items
Quick Money Tip:When you overdraft your checking account, you’ll likely pay a non-sufficient fund fee of, say, $35. Look into linking a savings account to your checking account as a backup to avoid that, or shop around for an online bank that doesn’t charge you for overdrafting.
Luxury Goods vs Normal Goods: What’s the Difference?
Buying normal goods means you are buying items whose cost increases at the same rate as your income increases. If you, say, shopped for clothing at garage sales to save money at the beginning of your career, and now you spend money on clothing at a traditional retailer, your consumption increased to the higher-priced clothing at the same rate as your income increased. These goods are within a reasonable range given your earning power.
Compare that with what is a luxury good. In this case, the cost of consumption increases, but not at the same rate as income. The price tag for a luxury item is often exponentially more than could be afforded by one’s salary raises.
Luxury Goods vs Inferior Goods: What’s the Difference?
According to the principles taught in economics class, an inferior good is one whose consumption decreases as a consumer’s income increases. If you ate ramen in college, for example, but no longer consume them now that you’re making more money in your career, that pack of noodles is an example of an inferior good. Your consumption of it decreased as you made more money.
Typically, with luxury goods, consumption increases with a higher income; with an inferior good, consumption decreases with a higher income.
Tips for Affording a Luxury Item
If you’re gunning for that aspirational luxury item and you weren’t born with a hefty trust fund, you’ll need to adopt some stellar financial habits to snag one (or more) of these pricey items. You can learn how to afford luxury items without paying full price for them. Here are some tactics to try.
Saving for a Luxury Good
Saving up for a luxury item and then paying in cash can be a good strategy. Whether the object you’re craving is a handbag or a sports car, you won’t feel guilty about spending money when you’ve stashed the money away for it and can pay without creating credit card debt. If you automate your savings for the luxury item, you may well reach your goal without too much effort.
Waiting for Sales
Even luxury goods can go on sale, though perhaps less often than with lower-priced items. Even if you miss their sales, you may be able to find some premium items discounted at outlet stores.
Recommended: Tips for Overcoming Bad Financial Decisions
Avoiding Trends
When saving for that luxury item, it can be wise to avoid trendy luxury products. Those probably won’t stay in style for long, and if you’re making a major purchase, it can be smarter to spend your money on things that will last.
Recommended: Tips to Stop Overspending
Renting Luxury Items Over Buying
You might want to consider renting a luxury item rather than paying loads of money to own it. For instance, you could lease a luxury car for a while and see if you truly love it. And there are many businesses that rent designer clothing and handbags, such as Rent The Runway and Bag Borrow or Steal. That can give you a taste of luxury at a more affordable price point.
Lowering Your Other Expenses
If you’re really set on affording a luxury item, see where else you can cut back on spending. Knowing you’d rather own a luxury car than go out every weekend can help you feel more motivated to cut back on dining and entertainment expenses.
Buying Pre-Owned
Another way to afford luxury items is to buy ones that have been pre-owned. From BMWs to Louis Vuitton handbags, there’s a large marketplace for gently used posh goods. How to afford luxury items can be a matter of being the second owner rather than the first of the item you desire.
The Takeaway
Now that you know what a luxury good is, you probably realize that such items are usually quite costly. They can also be of superior quality and retain their value better. Owning them can also be an ego boost and a source of pride.
Saving to obtain luxury goods can help you cultivate good financial habits, which in turn can help you reach other goals and build wealth.
FAQ
Why do people buy luxury goods?
Luxury goods can signal exclusivity, wealth, and a higher social status. People who buy luxury goods typically want to communicate this to themselves and others. Also, luxury items are often very well made and can last for many years.
Do luxury goods have high resale value?
Luxury goods, especially when in excellent condition, can have a high resale value. Some brands, such as Chanel and Hermes, have a better resale value than others. Jewelry by well-known brands (like Tiffany & Co.) tend to hold their value well too.
Does luxury always mean expensive?
A luxury item is typically highly desirable and very exclusive, which is usually tied to the amount of money it costs to obtain it. However, many luxury brands produce cheaper alternatives of their signature products to sell to more consumers at a more affordable cost. The Coach outlet stores are one example that luxury items don’t always have to be expensive, and the Mercedes A220 starts at about $35,000.
Photo credit: iStock/MoustacheGirl
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/31/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
SOBK0822026