How to Keep Your Car Safe and Secure

Your car is one of your most valuable assets, and you want to protect it from theft, vandalism, and damage. But how can you ensure your car’s safety and security, especially when you park it in public places or leave it unattended for long periods of time? Here are some tips and best practices to keep your car safe and secure.

• Lock your doors and windows. This may seem obvious, but many car thefts and break-ins happen because the owners forget to lock their doors or leave their windows slightly open. Always lock your doors and windows when you park your car, even if you are only leaving it for a few minutes. This will deter opportunistic thieves and make it harder for them to access your car.

• Use an alarm system or a steering wheel lock. Another way to prevent car theft is to use an alarm system or a steering wheel lock. An alarm system will alert you and others if someone tries to tamper with your car, while a steering wheel lock will make it impossible for the thief to drive away with your car. These devices can also act as visual deterrents, making your car less attractive to potential thieves.

• Park in well-lit and secure areas. Where you park your car can also affect its safety and security. Avoid parking in dark, isolated, or unfamiliar areas, where your car may be more vulnerable to theft or vandalism. Instead, park in well-lit and secure areas, such as parking garages, lots, or structures that have surveillance cameras, security guards, or access control systems. These features will make it more difficult for criminals to target your car and more likely for them to be caught if they do.

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. One of the most common reasons why cars are broken into is because the owners leave valuables in plain sight, such as laptops, phones, wallets, purses, or bags. These items can tempt thieves to smash your windows and grab them. To avoid this, don’t leave any valuables in plain sight when you park your car. Either take them with you, hide them in the trunk or glove compartment, or cover them with a blanket or a jacket.

• Use a smart parking app like ParqEx. Finally, one of the best ways to keep your car safe and secure is to use a smart parking app like ParqEx. ParqEx is a platform that connects drivers with private parking spaces that are safer, cheaper, and more convenient than public parking options. With ParqEx, you can find and book parking spaces in advance or on-demand, using your smartphone or computer. You can also access exclusive parking spaces that are only available on ParqEx, such as residential garages, driveways, or lots. These spaces are often more secure than public parking spaces, as they are located in private properties that have less traffic and more protection. ParqEx also offers features like Access+, which allows you to open garage doors or gates with your phone, and GuestParq, which allows you to share access to your parking space with your guests or visitors. By using ParqEx, you can save time, money, and hassle while ensuring your car’s safety and security.

Keeping your car safe and secure is important for your peace of mind and your wallet. By following these tips and using ParqEx, you can protect your car from theft, vandalism, and damage while enjoying the convenience and comfort of private parking.

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The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends, but it can also be a time of frustration and anxiety when it comes to traveling. Whether you are flying, driving, or taking public transportation, you may encounter long lines, crowded spaces, delays, and unexpected costs. Here are some tips to help you travel smoothly and enjoy your holiday trip.

• Plan ahead. The earlier you book your flights, hotels, and car rentals, the more likely you are to get the best deals and avoid last-minute price hikes. You can also use apps like ParqEx to find and reserve parking spaces in advance, saving you time and money. ParqEx is a peer-to-peer parking platform that connects drivers with owners of private parking spots. You can search for available spots near your destination, compare prices and features, and book securely with your credit card. You can also rent out your own parking spot when you are away and earn extra income.

• Pack smart. Avoid overpacking and check the baggage policies of your airline before you leave. You may be able to save money by carrying on your luggage or by shipping some items ahead of time. Make sure you have all the essentials, such as your passport, ID, tickets, medications, chargers, and toiletries. You can also use packing cubes or compression bags to organize your clothes and save space.

• Be flexible. Traveling during the holidays can be unpredictable, so be prepared for changes and delays. Check the weather forecast and traffic conditions before you depart and adjust your itinerary accordingly. You can also use apps like Google Flights or Hopper to track flight prices and get alerts for the best time to buy or change your tickets. If you have some wiggle room in your schedule, you may be able to take advantage of cheaper fares or less crowded flights.

• Stay healthy. Traveling can take a toll on your physical and mental health, so make sure you take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. You can also bring some snacks, vitamins, hand sanitizer, and masks to keep yourself energized and protected from germs. If you are traveling to a different time zone, try to adjust your sleep schedule before you leave and avoid caffeine and alcohol during your flight.

• Have fun. The most important thing is to enjoy your holiday trip and make the most of your time with your loved ones. Don’t let the stress of traveling ruin your mood or your memories. You can use apps like TripAdvisor or Yelp to find the best attractions, restaurants, and activities in your destination. You can also use ParqEx to share your parking spot with other travelers and make some new friends along the way.

Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be a headache if you follow these tips. With some planning, packing, flexibility, health, and fun, you can have a stress-free and memorable holiday trip.

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ParqEx loves featuring guest writers, especially when they have a mission to share on the nature of the car industry. If you’re interested in finding some travel preparation regarding a road trip you’ve come to the right place! This week, we’re proud to feature a blog on Steps To Wax Your Car Like a Pro from Dan at Carbibles. Car Bibles discusses an array of topics regarding vehicles ranging from the best products and care for your car. If you’d like to author a guest piece for ParqEx, let us know at marketing@parqex.com

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ParqEx loves featuring guest writers, especially when they have a mission to share on the nature of the car industry. If you’re interested in finding some travel preparation regarding a road trip you’ve come to the right place! This week, we’re proud to feature a blog on Auto Care Steps For A Stress -Free Road Trip from Peter at Car Ninja. Car Ninja discusses an array of topics regarding vehicles ranging from small compact vehicles to SUV’s. Peter as a writer is an ardent car lover, he writes almost everything about cars ranging from Product Reviews, Automobile News & Beginner Tips for learning any new Car Technology. If you’d like to author a guest piece for ParqEx, let us know at marketing@parqex.com

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Valentines Day is a holiday that is about celebrating time with loved ones. The toughest decisions usually faced by individuals is how they will show their affection whether by giving a gift, taking their significant other out for dinner, or just spending quality time in their humble abode. Valentines Day has become an almost $20 billion dollar industry and it will not be getting any cheaper any time soon. We have provided some cost alternative ways to be the best significant other you can be. Impress this Valentines Day without breaking the bank.

For the meat lovers in the room you can never go wrong with a steak or tenderloin roast. Indulge in the buttery, delicious beef tenderloin roast of your dreams with simple spices and rosemary prepared in less than an hour. Want to cut the cost of having to order or what would be to prepare and appetizer? A Caprese steak offers you the best of both worlds add your favorite seasonings and spread some fresh mozzarella, Roma tomato, and basil on top and you will be good to go. Need to spice it up combine spinach and artichoke into a roll up with a nice skirt steak.

Catch A Movie

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ParqEx loves featuring guest writers, especially when they have a mission to share on what ParqEx is and how it is great for communities. If you’re interested in finding workplace Q & A stories you’ve come to the right place! This week, we’re proud to feature an interview with Vivek from Ioana Ginsac at Commercial Cafe. Commercial Cafe discusses Real Estate News and Q & A sessions with Founders or C-Level Execs to its readers from stories across the country. Commercial Cafe is apart of the Yardi Network Systems spanning multiple cities across the United States. If you’d like to author a guest piece for ParqEx, let us know at marketing@parqex.com

Q: Where is your office space located and what did you consider when searching for it? Did you use a third-party company?

A: Our office is located in the River North neighborhood of downtown Chicago.  As a startup, cost and flexibility were our most important considerations. We were previously based in a co-working space, which was ideal for our earliest stages. However, it started to become too expensive and unwieldy, as our team grew. We, therefore, needed to find something that was furnished and wasn’t a long-term commitment, on relatively short notice. In other words, we needed to find a quality sublease. Location was also part of the equation, but the other factors were always going to dominate.

We used Transwestern to help us with the search and to negotiate the sub-lease terms. They helped us identify an office that met all of our immediate needs, and, luckily, it was also located in a great part of the city.

Q: What do you think is the most important thing when searching for office space?

A: It is really important to have a clear understanding of the difference between your “needs” and your “wants.” We knew what we needed in terms of size, cost, and timing, and those factors drove the decision process. When you’re out looking at potential locations, it is easy to visualize how a certain space could work or how certain features would be really neat—so if you’re not grounded in the couple of key needs for your organization at that time, it is easy to make a decision that you may later regret.

Q: What challenges did you encounter in the process of leasing/buying the office space and how did you deal with them?

A: Timing was difficult for us because we needed the process to happen much faster than it usually does. We had to be out of our co-working space by a certain date and had started our search process late, so we were under the gun. This is where our Transwestern broker was extremely valuable because he brought relationships and knowledge that helped streamline the process for us.

Q: How do you feel about co-working spaces?

A: Co-working spaces are a great option for certain working situations. They provide smaller organizations with a “plug-and-play” setup that offers the type of flexibility that a traditional office lease simply cannot. That is huge for early-stage startups, independent contractors, and regional expansion teams of larger companies. Many co-working spaces also help to foster the type of collaboration that these smaller entities crave, by encouraging both social and professional interaction. We both enjoyed and benefited from our experience at WeWork and would do it all over again if we could.

Q: What would you recommend to other start-ups looking for office space?

A: Early-stage start-ups should really think hard about whether they’re ready to take on the commitment of signing a lease of their own, or whether the flexibility of co-working is a better option for them. If they know they’re ready to take the plunge, they should be careful not to bite off more than they can chew, because the monthly lease payments can add up quickly and shorten the company’s runway.

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ParqEx loves featuring guest writers, especially when they have a mission to share the belief on how ParqEx is great for people and communities. If you’re interested or have legal questions, need consultations, you’ve come to the right place! This week, we’re proud to feature Adam Falkof from Quarles & Brady LLP. Quarles & Brady LLP assists emerging growth companies and startups across the U.S. with their legal needs. If you’d like to author a guest piece for ParqEx, let us know at marketing@parqex.com

Happy New Year!

For those new to this newsletter, it has three sections.  First, I detail three events that, in my opinion, are worth attending this month.  Second, I describe three startups that impressed me, either because of the uniqueness of their ideas or the strength of their leadership team. Third, I feature one of Chicago’s prominent startup leaders or organizations.

Additionally, I’m continuing to feature a section to support the Garage’s startup companies from Northwestern. If interested in learning more about the accelerator, whether in mentoring opportunities or otherwise, please check out their website here.

I’m also featuring a section publicizing Impact Engine’s startup companies, which is a terrific social impact venture fund. Special thanks to Laura Buchanan, one of my colleagues, who authors this section.

I’m additionally promoting the portfolio companies of the Good Food Business Accelerator.  The Good Food Business Accelerator is an excellent Chicago food startup accelerator based in 1871 that is focused on building supply chains for sustainable local food.

January Events:

Chicago Tech Happy Hour at Joy District, January 10^th:  The Chicago Tech Meet-up group is hosting a happy hour at Joy District that is open to a wide swath of the startup community.  Chicago Tech’s events tend to draw a variety of startup founders, job-seekers, and service providers.  The event should be a good opportunity for readers looking to meet with a broad cross-section of the startup ecosystem in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Here’s How Startup Marketing Conference, January 16^th:  Propllr PR is hosting its fifth annual marketing conference focused on marketing for startup companies.  The event will feature the marketing leaders of a number of major Chicago tech companies, including M1 Finance, Shiftgig, and Regroup Therapy.  The conference should be a great chance for startup leaders to learn best marketing practices and tips from top Chicago tech companies.

The Future of Blockchain, Presented by TechinMotion, January 17^th:  Tech in Motion is presenting an interesting event covering cryptocurrency developments and the future of blockchain.  The event’s panel features several blockchain thought leaders both in the cryptocurrency industry and other industries looking to apply blockchain to their businesses.  The event should be a fantastic opportunity for readers interested in gaining a better understanding of the blockchain technology underlying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Companies to Check Out:

TimeDoc:  TimeDoc is working to revolutionize the delivery of chronic care management for medical practices.  The company’s platform allows doctors to better track their time with chronic care management in order to obtain accurate reimbursements and to more efficiently deliver chronic care services to their patients.  TimeDoc is led by an impressive team of experienced founders and is well positioned to grow as chronic care needs continue to increase with the retirement of the Baby Boomers.

ParqEx:  ParqEx is a fantastic Chicago startup that is working to transform urban parking.  ParqEx connects owners of private parking spaces with users looking for a place to park via the company’s mobile application.  The company has had terrific traction so far, and if you’re always looking for a place to park, check out the company’s application on the App Store or Google Play.

Booksy:  Booksy is an innovative startup working to make it easier and faster for consumers to book health and beauty services, such as hair salon, make-up, and skin care appointments.  Booksy’s online platform allows users to both book and rate a wide variety of beauty-related services from the Booksy mobile application.  The company is operating in over a dozen different countries and primarily teams based in Chicago and Poland.

Good Food Business Accelerator Company of the Month:

Tempo Beverage:  Tempo Beverage is a terrific Chicago beverage startup focused on sparkling teas.  The company currently has two flavors, green tea with ginger and turmeric and black tea with grapefruit and ginseng.  The teas are delicious (speaking from personal experience) and have no sugar, calories, or artificial sweeteners.  If interested in trying one of teas, they are available for purchase on Tempo Beverage’s website.

Garage Company of the Month:

PedalCell:  PedalCell is an innovative Northwestern startup that is working to create a device that can convert and capture electrical power from the pedaling of ordinary bicycles.  The concept aspires to allow bicycle riders to charge a battery while they pedal, which could be used to charge their phone or other electronics.  If interested in learning more, PedalCell has an interesting video on the technology on the landing page of their website.

Impact Engine Company of the Month:

Wala: Wala is an exciting financial platform startup that bridges the gap between the 2.5 billion unbanked consumers in emerging markets and financial institutions. This personal financial management app incentivizes users to start tracking and saving money while providing a social, community aspect.

PeopleOrganizations to Know:

Dan Parsons and Chris Elipas:  Dan Parsons and Chris Elipas are the two founders behind Dryv, which is a top Chicago start-up that provides on-demand dry cleaning.  Dan and Chris are emblematic of a great founding partnership and have substantially grown the company from their original two-person team.  Both are also great guys and are on-demand technology and logistics leaders in Chicago.

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Infographics

Follow this infographic from msn autos for practical information on what it means to be prepared for a cold Chicago winter. These tips are not only preparation for on the road but inside your vehicle as well this season. Be prepared and most of all be safe.

Parking technology has exploded and made one of the most difficult things (parking) a little less hassle-free. Private Parking Technology Platforms like ParqEx provide the opportunity to pre-book available parking prior to arrival. In addition, reserving your spot before you walk out the door. It reduces one avenue of parking woes when making the trek into the heart of winter to battle the beast of Chicago parking.

Finally, please read more for additional tips on driving and parking in Chicago during the winter, and for more information on how our ParqEx app can help you find winter parking in Chicago.

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ParqEx loves featuring guest writers, especially when they have a mission  to share strategies for making money and growing your net worth – all from your laptop. If you’re interested in living a financially independent, location free lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place! This week, we’re proud to feature Drew Mentock from Money Nomad. Money Nomad discusses the location independent lifestyle and how to make a living remotely. If you’d like to author a guest piece for ParqEx, let us know at marketing@parqex.com

As a ParqEx owner, at the end of each month, you get a nice chunk of supplementary cash for renting out your unused parking space. Sure, it might be tempting to spend this on a crazy night out, a fancy dinner, weekend getaways or even that pair of shoes you always thought cost too much.

On the other hand, this may not be the smartest way to use your money. If the money you get simply gets transferred into your bank account and is then considered disposable, it won’t really add that much value to your life. Eventually, perhaps at the end of the year, you will look back on all the money you made from ParqEx and wonder where it went.

The best thing to do with this extra cash is to have a plan for it—make sure every cent is allocated in a specific way. In the end, you may still decide to put it towards an out of town vacation, but at least you will have thought about what to do with it as soon as you get it.

Pay Off Debt

A large portion of Americans are in debt. In fact, the average individual owes over $7,000 to credit card companies, so why not use some of the money you make from ParqEx to get your net worth into the positives.

Even paying an extra $20 per month towards what you owe can make a big difference. For example, say you have a $5,000 credit card debt, with an interest rate of 18%, and a minimum payment of $80 per month. By only making the minimum payment, it will take you over 15 years to pay off your debt (provided you’re no longer making purchases with that credit card). By adding an extra $20, which makes your total monthly payment $100, you will be out of debt in less than 8 years and have saved yourself thousands in the long run.

In all actuality, the average ParqEx parking space owner makes about $350 per month — much more than $20 — so they have the potential to get out of debt even quicker.

Invest

People often say “I want to invest but I’m broke—if only I had  extra money to put in an investment account.”

Well, the good news is that when you’re renting a parking space with ParqEx, you will no longer have this excuse. The bad news is that now you will have to figure out how to invest.

There are so many different ways to invest and, contrary to what you may think, you can effectively and wisely invest smaller amounts of money.

There are also several apps that allow you to invest a very small amount of money—some that don’t even have a minimum deposit.

What’s important to remember is that you shouldn’t take a bunch of huge risks trying to get rich quick. If you’re patient and willing to learn from your investing mistakes, you’ll eventually learn how to make your money work for you.

Put it Towards one of your Goals

Do you hope to one day own your own business? Go back to school? Or do you need a nest egg to support you while you try your hand at freelancing? Well, why not use what you make from ParqEx to save towards your goals.

You can do this by setting aside a percentage of your total ParqEx earnings at the end of each month. This way, ParqEx will be doing more than giving you some extra cash. It will be actively helping you to pursue your dream, which adds a lot more value to your life than another night out on the town.

Make Sure You’re Putting Money Aside for Taxes

When you make money u

sing ParqEx, you need to be prepared to claim it when you file your taxes at the end of each year. This is really important to keep in mind every time you get paid from ParqEx. If you’re not actively putting a portion of your earnings aside,  you’ll end up owing money at the end year that you aren’t prepared for.

How much you owe will depend on the tax bracket you fall in, which is based on your overall household income for that year. Either way, a good rule of thumb is to put aside 30% of what you make. This will likely be more than what’s necessary but at least you’ll know you have enough to cover yourself.

Plus, if you put aside extra m

oney, that will just mean you have more to spend at the end of the year. In a way, it’s kind of like an extra refund.

Use Apps to Help You Save

Now that you have an idea of what you want to do with the money made from ParqEx, you’ll want to figure out how you’re going to allocate money towards each of your financial objectives. Since ParqEx’s is an app that’s helping you make extra money, it makes sense that you also consider using an app to help you save money.

Apps such as Qapital, Acorn,  and Digit are designed to help you automatically save money. They all work in their own way, so you should review each and decide which one works best for you.

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Driving Is Expensive

Owning a car carries with it a number of recurring expenses. There’s the cost of a car payment, which in some cases can be as high as a monthly rent payment. Keeping insurance on the car is a requirement in most states; and if it’s not paid off, full coverage insurance, which is even more expensive, is a necessity. There’s routine maintenance on the car: oil changes, flushing the radiator, and taking care of repairs. If an accident does occur, fixing up the vehicle is astronomical! Then there’s the cost of finding a place to put that vehicle: public parking costs, metered parking, and other expenses rise fast. The rising cost of driving has made it impractical for many people to bother with a driver’s license, much less a car. Instead, they opt to take advantage of public transportation options.

Car Ownership Is Down in Cities

Single-car and no-car households are becoming increasingly common across the United States, especially in major cities. By 2015, approximately 9.1% of American households were no-car households–the first time in decades that the percentage has increased instead of decreasing. Ride-sharing services and the increased availability of public transportation have allowed millennials, in particular, to decide to let go of America’s car-centric culture and choose to live without being tied down to a car payment every month. In New York, for example, 29.4% of households are car free–a large enough percentage that it’s starting to seriously impact the way apartment buildings and other residential areas are handling their parking space needs.

Parking and Apartment Buildings

For individuals who live in apartment buildings, parking has long been a hotly-contested issue. Are there enough parking spaces in the building? Is each apartment given only a single space, or is each apartment allowed two spaces so that both adults have places for their cars? Disagreements over parking rise seriously. Some areas are specifically designed not to park in, and it’s frustrating to find the same person tucking their cars into those spots over and over again. Other times, visitors can’t find parking anywhere near the apartment building and are forced to park some distance away and walk. In the worst-case scenario, visitors to other apartments take over available parking–or even the numbered parking space belonging to a specific apartment–so that when the owner of that space comes home, there’s nowhere to put their car. Estimating the right number of parking spaces can be a huge challenge for developers, especially since large parking lots add quite a bit to the estimated costs of the project–and that means that many apartment complexes have historically experienced a significant shortage of parking spaces compared to residents. Debates over improper parking rage hotly, making it difficult for both apartment owners and those who live in the apartments.

Luckily, the decrease in the number of car owners has the potential to substantially change that. In some cities, laws govern the number of parking spaces that must surround each apartment building. That means that the number of available parking spaces in many areas won’t change, but the number of people who need to use them will shift significantly.

Shifts in Development

Developing new buildings and properties is a process that is constantly changing. With fewer Americans in need of parking spaces, many developers are choosing to cut costs and develop smaller parking lots, using the space for other things instead. What was once a parking area can now be plenty of other things: a playground or park where kids can play, pets can be walked, and people can socialize; a pavilion designed for social gatherings; or another building or a larger section of the apartment building. Instead of worrying about adequate parking spaces, developers can put their focus on developing better buildings that will help meet the needs of their tenants.

Monetizing the Underutilized Parking Supply

As the number of people who own cars decreases, it will become increasingly difficult for owners and developers to make the most out of their current parking solutions. After all, tenants in the buildings aren’t using them, and there’s no use letting parking spaces sit there empty for the rare occasions when building occupants have family gatherings in their apartments. Instead, many landowners are choosing to take advantage of their parking spaces to increase their income. There are several strategies that help make this process easier.

Use an app like Parqex. You can choose when a spot is available. Is it open all the time, or just during specific times of the day? What’s your rate? By using the app, you streamline the process of space renting. This is especially useful if your parking lot or space is in a high-traffic area where parking is limited and people often struggle to find spaces for events and outings. Whether you’re looking to rent out your parking lot long-term or you’re simply trying to look for short-term renters to fill in your parking lot and help increase your income, an app like Parqex can substantially increase the number of people you’re able to connect with.

Separate rent costs from parking costs. This is the easiest way to ensure that the apartment residents aren’t taking a space when they don’t really need it. By separating rent from parking costs, you can make it easier for both multi-car families, who may need separate spaces for each of their cars, and for families who don’t have cars at all and will benefit from slightly decreased rent costs. This can increase your income, since you can charge for your parking spaces, as well as bringing in more interested parties who see lower rent costs as more than enough incentive to look at your apartment–especially if they don’t have a car.

Offer additional parking to residents. Have residents throughout the building been parking on the street or paying for parking while other spaces have gone empty? Offering additional available parking to residents who need it can be a great way to increase goodwill throughout the building. Make sure you’re familiar with the parking needs of your residents before you start listing parking spaces.

The changing dynamic of driving throughout many cities is significantly changing the expectations and needs of many residents. Because there are still drivers, there is still a need for parking. Not only that, many apartment buildings are required by law to have a certain number of parking spaces in order to accommodate their residents. As a result, many buildings are likely to continue to have an increase in available spaces. Monetizing those spaces will help increase the overall return on your investment. Connect with us today to start learning how to connect your parking spaces with the people who need them most, increasing your available income from the space that you’ve already paid to create and creating a valuable service for people throughout your city who are still using their own cars.

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