In a world that’s defined by unprecedented, concentrated wealth, there’s one commodity that’s becoming increasingly rare: time. As Sarette van den Heever, Wealth Director, Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth (pictured right) notes, we can grow generational investment portfolios, build great businesses, and curate beautiful collections, but successful families are learning that the real measure of wealth isn’t just found in investment returns or capital growth – it’s in how you spend your hours and who you spend them with.
True luxury isn’t about collecting things, it’s about crafting an intentional life – one built around freedom, purpose, and connection. In fact, a landmark Harvard study – spanning more than eight decades – has found that our deepest wellbeing and genuine happiness come from meaningful relationships, not status or success.
For Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth, crafting an intentional life comes down to three key aspects: return on time, relationship alpha, and stewardship.
“Return on time,” Sarette explains, “is the core performance metric that should be chased by successful families. Optimising this metric is simple – spend money to save time, not to acquire more things.” That might mean delegating, automating, or outsourcing parts of life – from investment management and administration to household operations – so that time can be spent in a meaningful way.
“True luxury isn’t about collecting things, it’s about crafting an intentional life.”
The second aspect, relationship alpha, borrows from the investment world’s term for outperformance. But here, it’s measured in experiences, not percentages. “For families that have accumulated generational wealth, relationship alpha is critical in building an intentional life. Creating shared experiences with your loved ones, spending time at a retreat, or curating learning journeys for the next generation – these are things that add to an intentional life,” says Sarette.
The final critical aspect in building an intentional life is that of stewardship over consumption. When entrusted with a great deal of wealth, families are faced with a key decision: will you be a steward of this wealth or a consumer of it? “Current private wealth trends are showing a growing move towards stewardship,” says Sarette. “Impact investments are rising in popularity, health and wellbeing are being prioritised, and the next generation is increasingly focused on purpose and making decisions driven by values.” It’s about redefining success as contribution rather than accumulation.
For many, a family office becomes the operating system that makes all of this possible. By delegating governance, administration, and the curation of your family’s affairs, you free up time and headspace for the pursuits that enrich your life. “You spend money to save time, creating opportunities to invest in meaningful relationships,” she adds.
Luxury once lived in rare objects, but today it lives in an intentional life. It’s not the investments, properties, art, or travel that define true luxury – it’s the freedom of having the time to be present and the relationships that make that presence meaningful.
