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What is a subscription lifestyle? -

Following a subscription lifestyle is basically living a life online. And millennials do it very well.

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Online subscription -

Those who lead a subscription lifestyle essentially subscribe to everything and own nothing. Well, almost nothing.

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A better way of life? -

But is embracing the subscription lifestyle a way of leading a better life? Many think it is.

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The millennial creed -

The motto of many subscription lifestyle advocates is: "Why own something when you can rent or borrow it?"

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The ubiquity of digital advertising -

In a world where we are constantly bombarded by choices, anything from what to wear to what to eat, we are always making decisions.

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More choosy -

Millennials, however, are becoming a tad more choosy regarding their specific needs and interests.

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Embracing the subscription lifestyle -

A millennial's mindset is very often tuned towards a transient lifestyle. And in these uncertain times, embracing a subscription lifestyle can offer a better life in many ways.

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The rise of remote working -

The global pandemic lockdowns provided the platform for the subscription business model. Unable to venture outside, billions of us started working from home. But we still needed to shop. And we still needed to eat and drink.

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Doorstep deliveries -

Suddenly, the subscription economy was booming. Using just a mobile device you could order dinner with a swipe and a click. We knew that already, but the pandemic upped things big time.

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The meaning of streaming -

Streaming media services saw their subscription base go through the roof. Instead of downloading the content to their device, users could stream it in real-time. Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and others were kings of instant visual gratification.

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More music, more often -

Audio streaming services like Spotify were music to the ears of those stuck indoors.

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All about convenience -

After the COVID crisis eased and the great outdoors once again became accessible, people realized just how convenient subscription services had proved. It was a game changer.

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Rechecking the subscription box -

Hungry millennials continued to order out after rechecking their subscription boxes.

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Uber gets in gear -

Uber's ride-hailing services roared ahead, driven by convenience and value for money.

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Ride-hailing moves forward -

Other ride-hailing companies including Bolt and Lyft also hit the road running, their services accessed by an all-in-one mobility app to leave conventional methods of catching a ride obsolete.

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Online, anywhere -

And convenience is one of the most significant advantages of subscribing. You can order online just about anything, just about anywhere.

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Discounts for loyal customers -

Subscriptions can also be cost-effective. Many subscription services offer discounts or lower prices for long-term commitments. That's a price worth paying to have Hollywood at your fingertips.

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More muscle for your money -

And how about that gym subscription? Signing up to a monthly gym membership can be cheaper than paying for individual classes. You can also go with day passes. It's a great way of getting more muscle for your money.

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Greater product variety -

Numerous subscription services cater to different interests and needs. Indeed, variety is the spice of life. The range of products available online is impressive and go far beyond food and entertainment.

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What's in the box? -

With variety comes surprise. For example, Birchbox sends its subscribers a box of four to five selected samples of makeup or other beauty-related products.

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Armchair browsing -

Shopping online for clothing, meanwhile, will never go out of fashion. Armchair browsing the latest designer labels is all done from the comfort of your own home.

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Staying with Airbnb -

Airbnb is the digital nomad's most trusted companion. The short- and long-term homestays platform is ideally suited to those leading a subscription lifestyle.

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Affordable places to stay -

Vacation rentals, cabins, beach houses, and a host of other affordable places to stay in has made the need for traditional hotel accommodation bookings seem, well, outdated! 

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Living as a Service -

Actually, the subscription economy in the United States does extend to something known as Living as a Service (LaaS). The idea is to make recurring services and expensive products (like cars or houses) affordable through leasing and sharing, rather than outright purchasing.

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Shared accommodation -

With LaaS, customers can subscribe to products as well as services on a monthly or yearly basis via subscription-as-a-service. The idea harks back to the "why own something when you can rent or borrow it?" mantra.

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Furnishing people's needs -

Furnishing this trend are companies like Fernish and Feather, two start-ups that specialize in so-called furniture subscriptions.

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Two-wheel subscriptions -

The e-scooter-sharing system is a recent phenomenon. An app allows users to rent electric scooters by the minute. But with a private e-scooter subscription, users get the choice of premium machines with a host of benefits, including upgrades and accident protection.

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Distance learning -

Subscribing to a e-learning website such as MasterClass opens all sorts of doors. Users enjoy access to video lessons from some of the world's best actors, chefs, athletes, and more. And, of course, you can also brush up on your education. Language courses, for example, are always popular.

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Shopping by subscription -

And as if to exemplify the next chapter in the subscription lifestyle story, Amazon launched in February 2024 its smart grocery-shopping service. It allows customers to scan products right into their cart as they shop and then skip the checkout line.

Sources: (Outsite) (Financial Times) (FasterCapital) (Paddle) (Engadget) 

See also: This is the way we used to shop in the 20th century

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