If you would rather get some immediate enjoyment from your bonus, but can’t afford a whole yacht or private jet, you could consider fractional ownership.

Two decades ago, property fractional owership schemes – such as timeshare – had a sordid reputation. Buyers grew weary of the pushy developers in Spain and other holiday spots.

But the benefits of reputable fractional ownership schemes are becoming apparent. The popularity of some has increased as the recession prompts many to reconsider whether they should plough their bonus into a car or yacht, which is likely to depreciate and require substantial upkeep.

Schemes fall into two categories: shared ownerships that appreciate or depreciate in value and can be resold; and those that are structured more like rental agreements.

For aircraft enthusiasts, City Flyer (www.city-
flyer.co.uk) offers amateur pilots a chance to try their hand while European Business Jets (www.europeanbusinessjets.com) and Net Jets (www.netjets.com) provide corporate jet shares.

Eusamarine (www.eusamarine.com), offers the chance to buy shares in yachts of all different sizes.

ARTvest (www.artvest.co.uk) is a syndicate of 25 members who each pay £1,500 a year for three years to buy contemporary art as a pooled investment. Purchases are approved by an expert panel and, when the period of investment is completed, syndicate members receive two pieces of artwork each or their cash value.

Oenophiles may instead want to invest in a vineyard (www.wineestatecapital.com); take up residence in a winemaker’s chateau for a few weeks a year (www.thevintnersclub.com); or buy into a wine investment fund such as Club Etoile Limited (www.club-etoile.com).