Comments on: The Transumer Transformation?

By: Would You Rent Your Clothes For A Party? | Well-Heeled, with a mission

Would You Rent Your Clothes For A Party? | Well-Heeled, with a mission — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:19:42 +0000

[...] is another sign of the transumer transformation – the idea that instead of pursuing an ownership model, consumers can pay for a leasing [...]

By: Bre

Bre — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:49:30 +0000

I agree that transumerism is huge. My friend and I went on a cruise a month ago and half the cruise was rent-a-center employees. Apparently the stores are doing BIG BUSINESS right now and the top 10% of stores with serious growth received this vacation for two (the manager and friend) for free. It’s sad that people need to rent bunk beds and tv’s.

By: T

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:09:00 +0000

I love the MSN Money article. I love MSN money, but that’s neither here nor there. I actually am a transumer. I live in a hip neighborhood in Chicago because I rent there. I’m a member of Zip Car, used to be a member of I-go. I buy cheap clothes (think summer tees, frilly dresses and hangbags from Target/Forever 21/H&M, etc) because by the time they wear out (6 months to a year), they’ll be out of style anyway.

Side note: I don’t buy cheap shoes though. Shoes are an investment.

I’d like to think that the way I shop is due to my youth and lack of money to buy finer things, but being a transumer is SO convenient and the cost benefit analysis is working in my favor right now. For example, no, I don’t have any home equity, but living in a neighborhood I love beats having home equity in a neighborhood I hate any day of the week.

Great post!!!

By: Swilly

Swilly — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:20:26 +0000

Since I have worked at Avelle (Bag Borrow or Steal) I have been thrown into this new way of thinking and consuming. I have come to the conclusion that “Transumerism” is kind of freeing. Some investments are smart, if they are going to make you money in the end, like owning a home.

Since I have been renting handbags (I average a new handbag every 1-2 months), it has felt right. By the end of two months I am usually sick of the thing and ready to move on. Instead of spending $10K to own all of the handbags I have carried, I have spent $750 (which is the price of one new designer handbag)

But, in response to some other comments, if you are not that into fashion, it probably doesn’t make sense. I have generally had the state of mind that we don’t get to leave this world with any of the stuff we buy, so why gather a bunch of stuff just for the sake of having it around?

By: paranoidasteroid

paranoidasteroid — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:58:56 +0000

I think your last paragraph hit the nail on the head – the monthly payment mentality. Now people understand that they can’t afford the Prada bag, but they still don’t want to give it up. Ergo, they rent it instead of charging it.

Same problem, different way around it.

I get the appeal of not having too much stuff, but this reaction to owning anything seems off to me. Or may I just want to justify my constant clothing shopping.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:01:01 +0000

What an interesting word!!! You bring a good point. My mom is always telling me that I need to buy a house, but it makes more sense for me to rent until I’m financially stable to buy a house – at least in my opinion. I definitely rent from the library, too. I love that! I don’t really feel the need to own books…

I think leasing is bad when it incurs interest – like a car loan. Which is why I paid that bad boy off ASAP!

I think I’m a transumer halfie!

By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:07:20 +0000

Oh. I don’t understand a leasing concept but I can see how it’s freeing.

I did something similar for almost a year. Rented cars, took flights, didn’t have an apartment was in a hotel room.. and I could basically move and do whatever I wanted with just a suitcase…

With that being said, I felt homesick for a base. I didn’t want to rent my handbags (I love ‘em) and I want my own bricks and mortar, and my own car …

So no. I’m not into that kind of nomadic-ish lifestyle.

By: Ms. MoneyChat

Ms. MoneyChat — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:52:42 +0000

heck no! you know i just don’t get the concept. even though leasing cars has become normal, i still think it’s crazy. heck, i even think 30 year mortgages are ludicrous and yes, i have one but i’m working on that;-).

are you telling me that people are renting things like purses?! how ridiculous. i guess some people really enjoy the month to month lifestyle, sacrificing the opportunities tto build some sort of wealth for the desire to look the part today. oh well, it’s personal choice and fortunately for me, i choose not to participate!

By: SavingDiva

SavingDiva — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:52:11 +0000

I also own my car…and I’m about to purchase a condo. I would never rent a purse (I prefer classic items that don’t go out of style), a watch or sunglasses. While I find the idea of art appealing, it’s not in my budget right now…instead of renting it, I buy prints and frame them myself (only type of art I can afford right now).