Peer to Peer Archives - ParqEx

5 Steps To Wax Your Car Like A Pro

PJ Filipowicz — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:26:36 +0000

5 Steps To Wax Your Car Like A Pro

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

Spending too much will not be necessary in order for you to get a desired great looking finish for your vehicle. The process of polishing your ride with a rotating wheel is called “wheeling”. This process involves heating the car paint’s outer surface, wherein blemishes will be removed. It is advised by professionals and auto detailing shops to limit this process to once a year. This is to avoid permanent damage to your vehicle’s paint surface. The following procedures below will aid you in waxing/polishing your vehicle the way the experts do in a very short period of time.

First Step

Let’s start by first washing your ride which is preferably in a shaded area. Make sure you wash your vehicle appropriately to avoid further scratches when the wax will be applied later. After washing, please take note not to thoroughly dry your vehicle yet.

Second Step

Get a slightly damp pad that is clean and place it on your polishing wheel. Apply a sufficient amount of compound on you’re a single body panel. Evenly spread the polish using the polishing wheel using only moderate speed. Take note that the wheel should be parallel to the car’s body surface to avoid swirl marks and maintain constant pressure. Repeat this motion back and forth over the body surface of the panel. In continuing this process, the clear coat would heat up. Eventually, you would notice that certain light scratches or damages would start to go away. Right after, the desired finish would also be visible. Apply this process to the rest of the panels of your vehicle as well.

Third Step

You would notice that the foam pad accumulates compound. Wash it with a power washer, if you have one on hand, so that optimum results would be attained. Make sure, of course, that the whole vehicle is polished evenly and avoid burning finishes on certain edges of your vehicle.

Fourth Step

You may wash your car with a power washer lightly, or as recommended – wash it by hand and dry it entirely.

Fifth Step

Now, put a soft, clean foam pad on your orbital sander. Place the appropriate amount of paste wax and finishing polish. In addition, make sure you are using a good wax for best results. Work it at moderate speed, and with light pressure, spread it on to your car or vehicle evenly. Once this is done, it is advised that you use a microfiber cloth or towel to finally wipe the entire body surface of your ride.

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Auto Care Steps For A Stress-Free Road Trip

PJ Filipowicz — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 22:46:03 +0000

Auto Care Steps For A Stress-Free Road Trip

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

How about going on a road trip to celebrate the summer, school is finally out and you need a break from the normal routine. Sounds like a plan but what would even be better is taking the necessary steps to take care of your car so it does not become a bother or a hindrance to you during this period. Issues of flat tires and dead batteries can be prevented by an inspection of your vehicle before the trip. This can be done by regularly servicing and maintaining the vehicle. Whether you do it on your own or you give it to a trusted service provider, just ensure to get the inspection done on your vehicle.

The following are some of the steps that you need to take care of when inspecting your vehicle;

Check The Battery

Check whether the battery is properly functioning that means it should not be undercharging or overcharging. Excessive heat on the battery will shorten the battery life.

Check The Tires

Check the tires to ensure they have enough pressure or increase it in case it is running low to decrease instances of getting a puncture. Also, check the treads from the tire to ensure they are not worn out. This is to provide a great grip and stability in poor weather conditions. Also, perform a wheel alignment on the wheels and check for bulges and bad spots.

Check All The Fluids

Check for the liquids that are used in the car such as the engine oil that is used to service the engine. The brake fluids should also be in check to ensure there is no friction within the brake pads, therefore, reduce instances of accidents that driver cannot be held accountable for. The coolant should also be filled regularly to ensure that the engine does not heat up. The windshield washer solvent should also be filled, this is to ensure that the windshield is clean at all times so as to ensure visibility for the driver and clarity.

Check The Wipers And Lighting

Check that all the lighting is properly functioning in the vehicle, this will actually be of utmost importance especially when driving at night to be able to see road users and to also be visible to them. Be it the headlights or the parking lights both are essential to the proper functioning of a vehicle. The wipers also need to be in proper condition and should be replaced whenever they are worn out so that you can clearly see the windshield in moments when it is misty.

Check The HVAC

That means check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system to ensure they perform their functions properly. They should cool the car to ensure interior comfort when driving.

Check Emergency Kit

Check to ensure you have a first aid kit and a lifesaver hazard sign well placed in the vehicle in case of any emergencies that may occur.

It is therefore imperative to ensure that the above steps are followed before deciding on going for a road trip to the Aberdares with your loved ones or colleagues at work. They are very basic steps such as checking your battery, checking the tires and checking the fluids in your car. These are important as they ensure the safety of your engine thereby preventing you from a number of accidents that may occur. You will be able to ensure these checks are done by visiting your trusted garage for your regular servicing and maintenance of your vehicle. When all these are done you can now enjoy the trip.

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Best Alternative Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day

PJ Filipowicz — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:52:55 +0000

Best Alternative Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day.

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.

Flip The Script

Did you wait until the last minute to look for a place to take your significant other out and everything is now booked? That’s honestly okay for this holiday typically couples who choose to dine out for their Valentines Day spend around $170 dollars. A great alternative to this would be staying in and cooking dinner for that special someone. There are hundreds of simple recipes that you can follow for both to enjoy. You dont have to be an all-star chef to create an all-star dish.

We have handpicked some of the best ideas on a Romantic Menu For Two from Delish. Fan of Sea, it looks like the dishes prepared to wow are going to be Lemon Garlic Shrimp, Crab Alfredo, Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, Linguine With Clams, and Cheesy Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip. All of these recipes can be mix and matched with ingredients of choice, you typically see that purchasing pre-cooked or frozen shrimp will be much more ideal and health safety conscious.

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.

No meat, no seafood, vegetarians rejoice! Explore some great tasting options with the 5 Cheese Marinara, Cheesy Lemon Garlic Pasta, Toasted Garlic Butter Ravioli with crushed red pepper. These options are something spectacular and give you an alternative if your dietary restrictions or personal choices guide you in this direction. But don’t worry all of these recipes are flavor packed and sure to not disappoint.

But saving the best for last would lead you to baking the delectable delights. We found the tastiest and eye popping bites are going to be the Red Velvet and Skillet Cookie and the Mocha Truffle Bars. These recipes are simple enough for the most novice of cooks but can far exceed your loved ones expectations. All of these recipes may keep you in the kitchen but something original and home made can make it that much more special.

Catch A Movie

Dinner is always the cliche for Valentines Day, but what if you could find the two for one deal dinner and a movie you have found a winner. There are multiple theaters around Chicago that will offer this combo deal.

AMC DINE-IN Block 37 – In the heart of the loop you can experience the latest movies to be released with a full menu to dine in as well. They offer anything from the traditional popcorn and candies to a full menu which includes the likes of Loaded Brisket Fries as an app. Enjoy an entree in the shape of a Artisan Pepperoni flatbread, an Asian Steak & Shrimp bowl, a Smoky Jalapeño Burger, or a healthy alternative Chopped Cobb salad. Reclined assigned seating gets you in the right spot and in your acoustic zen. Don’t worry about parking we have you covered here.

AMC DINE-IN 600 N Michigan 9 – In the bustling River North area take time to relax in the reclined assigned seating. Splurge on the evening with an appetizer of Loaded Bacon Tots, feed your wild side with a Philly Steak flatbread, or enjoy a Avocado Chicken Grilled Sandwich. Prices for movie theathers of this caliber you will see it make a slight dent into your pocket but not near the impact it would have attending one of the restaurants in the area for a Valentines Day out.

Something that we forget when we are wrapped up in social media influences, we need to put down our phones to spend the time with the ones we care about even if it is for a special occaision. It does not have to be about a significant other per say, it can be spending time with your favorite pet or enjoying the company of family and friends. Most of all invest in yourself and celebrate all of your accomplishments to this point!

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Q & A: How Chicago’s ParqEx Found Its Perfect Space

PJ Filipowicz — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:31:59 +0000

Q & A: How Chicago’s ParqEx Found Its Perfect Space

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

Most new companies are the fruit of a problem-solving idea. Whether it’s keeping their healthcare spending orderly or providing high-schoolers with tailored guidance and test prep, entrepreneurs have to go through the hurdles of building a company, before they can deliver their idea as a solution to others.

We’ve been conducting a series of Q&As that address what is possibly the most common problem new companies face: finding the best space in which to operate. We sat down with several industry professionals, in order to gather insight on the modern challenges faced by small-to-medium-sized businesses looking for office space. We also wanted to gauge their opinion on which is best: traditional office or modern co-working space?

Parking a Start-up in Chicago’s Busy RiNo

Our series continues this week with tips and observations from ParqEx, a technology company that caters to car owners driving in urban areas where parking demand is high, yet supply is considerably scarce and/or expensive. We spoke to CEO & Founder Vivek Mehra and Marketing Associate Alan Foresta about their quest for the best office space.

The company launched its app in 2015, and gathered 600 subscribers during its first month, initially only covering residential parking spaces in Wrigleyville and the West Loop.

While it started out in a co-working office, the company now operates out of 325 W Huron St. in Downtown Chicago, with 12 full-time employees and a few part-time contractors. The ParqEx database now also covers Milwaukee, Madison, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, with plans to further expand in 2018.

Read the interview below to see how they managed to keep ParqEx in Chicago’s busy River North.

Q: Tell our readers a little bit about your business: what industry are you in and what services do you provide?

A: ParqEx is a technology platform that unlocks the hidden value sitting idly in privately owned parking spaces. Most people typically think we’re in the parking industry because we deal with parking spaces, but we actually consider ourselves part of the real estate ecosystem. Parking spots are really just small pieces of real estate, and our goal is to help maximize the value of those pieces for all the entities that own, manage, or use them.

We do this by providing a set of services, which can be applied depending on the circumstances of the property in question. For locations that have underutilized parking spots, we offer the ParqEx Private Parking Marketplace, which monetizes these by connecting the owners with drivers in need of a place to park—a concept similar to Airbnb, but for parking.
Since many private parking spots are securely located behind garage doors or gates, ParqEx also offers a unique IoT-powered solution called Access+, which controls these entryways using the ParqEx app. The Access+ service helps fuel the Marketplace by making it easier to rent secure parking locations, and it also offers great value to property managers, by removing the costs and headaches of traditional entry methods such as clickers, fobs, or codes.

Finally, the third offering in our platform is a full-service guest-parking suite called GuestParq. It is designed to provide multi-family condo and apartment buildings with an improved way to offer, manage, and enforce the parking offered to guests.

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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Next Companies to Check Out From Quarles & Brady LLP

PJ Filipowicz — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 16:25:13 +0000

Next Companies to Check Out From Quarles & Brady LLP

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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Winter Parking In Chicago and Safer Driving Habits

PJ Filipowicz — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 21:27:10 +0000

Chicago has found such a unique way to hold parking spaces articles and pictures books have been created. It’s not only about avoiding the crackdown from “the man” every winter but outsmarting your neighbor along the way. Winter parking is upon us here in Chicago and it is not going away anytime soon. Furthermore, practicing safe driving habits will create a safer opportunity for everyone to find their ideal parking spot.

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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What to do with the Extra Cash you Make through ParqEx

PJ Filipowicz — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 20:59:39 +0000

What to do with the Extra Cash you Make through ParqEx

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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Peer-to-Peer Services Can Reach $335 Billion

Vivek Mehra — Thu, 25 May 2017 18:25:07 +0000

Sharing is not a new concept. The idea of individuals sharing with one another in order to ensure everyone has enough has been around for centuries. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, people became so wrapped up in corporations, big business, and making money that they all but forgot the once-prevalent act of sharing with neighbors, community members, friends – and quite frankly, anyone who needs something that you can provide. Well, we have started sharing again – and we’re doing so through technology and the sharing economy.

Thanks to peer-to-peer sharing solutions such as Airbnb and Uber, spreading the wealth has recently seen a huge comeback, and it is predicted that this increase in peer-to-peer sharing is only going to continue growing.

So what exactly is in the future of the peer-to-peer sharing economy?

Well, based on the recent, rapid growth seen by the more popular sharing economy companies, it is likely the industry will grow from $14 billion in 2014 to right around $335 billion by 2025. This is enormous, and such growth points to a huge loss in business for companies who are direct competitors of the biggest peer-to-peer sharing companies.

A shift in economic practices such as this will likely lead to an overall change in the way people think about the ownership of items. Assets will be seen as more valuable, but ownership of each and every tool available on the market will no longer be necessary. Even something as simple as a parking spot could become a goldmine, and sharing that spot creates a win-win situation. Learn how you can share your spot below with company’s like ParqEx.

Because the care and keeping of our environment has become so important to so many as of late, this mindset shift could give the sharing economy a large amount of support from eco-conscious individuals. After all, if more people view ownership of certain items as unnecessary, fewer items will be produced in general, resulting in fewer things left sitting unused on shelves or in garages for years on end. Therefore, we foresee the sharing economy becoming a large player in the game of earth conservation.

Another big benefit of the sharing economy is the fact that it makes it virtually impossible for any one company or individual to monopolize an industry. This is because switching from one peer-to-peer sharing platform to another is cheap and painless for consumers, especially since more platforms become available almost weekly.

Because of this, and because the sharing economy is likely to continue seeing rapid growth in the coming years, it is probable that consumers will begin to see more options and the most fair prices in history as the sharing economy begins to replace some of the world’s biggest businesses. This will lead to the further growth and usage of the sharing economy, encouraging others to open up shop as a peer-to-peer sharing platform.

In addition to a shift in the mindset of consumers, it is predicted that we will also begin to see a shift in the mindset of employers everywhere. For instance, because these sharing economy businesses are giving employees more power to jump from one employer to the next, those who do the hiring are going to need to make a switch in how they retain these employees. Instead of threats and barriers which make it difficult to leave, employers will need to embrace the power of the employee and offer them opportunities to grow with their careers. Always ahead of the curve, Uber put this idea into practice when they began helping drivers acquire new vehicles. In this way, they gave their employees the tools they needed to improve as drivers and better their lives.

These are just a few of the major changes we believe the sharing economy will make in the way we live and think about the world. As you can see, the world of peer-to-peer services has an enormous amount of leverage in our society, By using this leverage properly, it is possible that the sharing economy could make some pretty big improvements to our economic health, the state of our planet, and the way individuals view the products they own.

If you are interested in learning more about the sharing economy, listing a parking spot or renting a parking spot, we’d love for you to contact us today at ParqEx.

The post Peer-to-Peer Services Can Reach $335 Billion appeared first on ParqEx.

Have a Sporting Good Time with the Sharing Economy

Vivek Mehra — Fri, 12 May 2017 21:01:42 +0000

Whether you are right in the middle of the action or watching from the sidelines, it is hard to deny the fact that the sharing economy is improving the lives of a great number of people in this world. Fortunately, sports fans are no exception to this phenomenon. From baseball players to rock-climbing enthusiasts, there is something the sharing economy and peer-to-peer lending can do for every lover of sports.

Why not plan a day full of sporting fun and see what we are talking about? Here are a few ideas to get you started when planning your day filled with kicking, throwing, running, and jumping.

Peer-to-Peer Ticket Sales

To begin with, why not head out and see your favorite team play? No matter who that happens to be, you are sure to find last-minute tickets available on peer-to-peer ticket marketplaces Seat Geek and Vivid Seats. These sites make it easy to buy, sell, and exchange tickets with sports fans just like you. That means no more purchasing overpriced tickets at the last second, and no more wondering what to do with the tickets you can’t use thanks to that impromptu work project.

Used Sports Equipment Sales

If you have ever considered trying your hand at a new sport but shied away after learning the cost of the equipment, SidelineSwap is for you. This online marketplace allows sports players from all over North America to buy and sell used sporting equipment. This means you can sell off old gear and use the money to buy some used gear, giving you the opportunity to try new things at a much lower cost.

House Sharing

If you will be traveling for a sporting event—whether it is to play or to watch—you may be wondering how you will afford decent lodging. Lucky for you, sites like Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway and VaycayHero are out there. These peer-to-peer lodging rental sites give travelers a way to sleep comfortably on the cheap while connecting with locals. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even get to stay with a fellow sports fan! And if you’re sporting on a budget, you can even sleep on someone’s couch with CouchSurfing!

https://youtu.be/33jbp9uPUmA

Peer-to-Peer Parking Rentals

Searching for a decent parking spot just before heading into a big game can be an incredibly frustrating experience. We’ve all experienced it. Garages and official team parking lots tend to rack their rates up, and when lots are fill up you can be be left hanging no matter how much cash you happen to bring along.

Fortunately, there are now shared parking apps like ParqEx, JustPark and SPOT. These peer-to-peer parking space rental programs are like Airbnb for parking spaces. They allow sports fans like you to reserve a convenient parking place quickly and easily online. Additionally, the spots are priced at the discretion of the spot owners, meaning you can more likely avoid the inflated game day prices. To make a good thing even better, the advent of ParqEx and other similar parking apps means dealing with game day traffic as you drive in circles hoping to find an empty spot is an experience of the past. ParqEx has hundreds of Wrigley Field parking spots and other spots located steps away from Chicago’s great stadiums.

If you have questions, concerns, comments, questions or are having trouble finding or listing a parking space, please contact us.

The post Have a Sporting Good Time with the Sharing Economy appeared first on ParqEx.

The Evolution of Parking in a World of Driverless Cars

Vivek Mehra — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 21:50:45 +0000

It’s been difficult to read or watch the news in the past year without being aware of the rise of driverless cars. Car and tech giants from Uber and Google to Tesla and Ford have identified self-driving vehicles as the next logical step in the industry, and are investing billions of dollars to plan accordingly.

It’s a fascinating topic in a variety of contexts. But for us, the most compelling thing to watch may be how this new age of driverless cars will impact parking in cities like Chicago. Join us for a discussion on the evolution of autonomous driving, the continued (but changing) needs for parking spots, and a look at what the future may hold.

Some Definitions to Start

One of the most difficult aspects of discussing this topic tends to be the various terms. It’s tempting, for example, to consider driverless, autonomous and connected interchangeably. In reality, though, the differences between these terms are subtle but important:

Connected cars. The first step of the driverless evolution is already in existence today. Connected cars communicate both with the driver, and with other cars on the road to improve safety for all. Features include brake and parking assistants, real-time route calculations, and more.
Autonomous cars. As the name suggests, autonomous vehicles can navigate most everyday traffic situations on their own. Drivers can and should still interject as needed, but in well-known traffic areas, Tesla (and a handful of other cars) can already drive relatively well on their own.
Driverless cars describe the potential end point of the technology. They are connected to a larger network, and can drive entirely on their own; in fact, they won’t require a driver at all. Google’s Waymo prototype is the closest we have gotten to this technology so far.

The State of the Driverless Market

We’re at an exciting but also uncertain point of the driverless explosions. As mentioned above, only prototypes of the above-mentioned final step of the process exist. At the same time, the technology is now advanced enough that within a few years, driverless will move from a novelty to a well-known (if expensive) alternative.

In fact, some estimates put the sales of fully autonomous vehicles at $6 billion and partially autonomous vehicles at $36 billion by 2025. Experts believe that by 2030, we should see an adoption rate of at least 30% among car-owning consumers.

We’re not there yet. In fact, a recent survey showed that almost half (49%) of motorists in the UK are not interested in the technology. Given the benefits of driverless cars, from safer roads to traffic efficiency, that number will begin to drop as the technology becomes more easily available. In the meantime, it’s up to startups like us to determine just how this fast-growing market will impact parking, especially in urban areas like Chicago.

The Need for Parking in Crowded Areas

Anyone familiar with Chicago parking apps of any kind is already familiar with a problem shared by countless others in metropolitan areas. Parking is an annoying complication of everyday life. In addition to countless local news stories outlining the issues, Chicago has actually been named the Worst Place to Park a Car based on both high cost and low availability of spots. Other metropolitan areas, of course, are not far behind.

And yet, parking is crucial. If you own a car, you need to find a place for it. Given that the average car is idle 95% of the time, the parking spot should be a crucial consideration for any vehicle owner.

At the same time, lack of space is not necessarily a problem. A recent study found that the United States has roughly 1 billion parking spots, four times as many as vehicles existing in the country today. Lack of space is not the issue; finding the right parking spot quickly and easily is.

That’s what makes markets like Chicago so perfect for parking apps and startups like ours. We help homeowners, property managers, and REITs take advantage of the space they already own, while providing better parking possibilities for drivers. Driverless parking will change that dynamic, but it will not eliminate it.

Evolving Parking Needs in the Age of Driverless Cars

Driverless cars will streamline traffic, and improve convenience for all that take advantage of it. The need to own your own vehicle will be reduced, and with less cars on the road, fewer parking spots will be necessary. As researcher Alain Kornhause told PC World last year,

“the biggest impact (of autonomous vehicles) is going to be on parking. We aren’t going to need it, definitely not in the places we have it now… If I go to a football game, my car doesn’t need to stay with me. If I’m at the office, it doesn’t need to be there. The current shopping center with the sea of parking around it—that’s dead.”

It’s a natural conclusion: if you don’t own a car, you don’t have to worry about parking it. But at the same time, these cars still need a space where they can be kept until they’re needed again. Parking is still necessary; just different.

For starters, as ChicagoInno points out, transportation needs will need to be customized depending on their audience. A high-profile real estate developer, for example, will probably require a different service (and car) than a college student just trying to get to campus. That degree of customization will require a higher number of individual self-driving cars, available to a multitude of audiences at short notice.

Especially if you’re renting out your parking spot through an app like ParqEx, driverless cars could present another opportunity. Now, you can rent the space not to individuals, but to autonomous vehicle companies looking to ‘store’ their cars before the next trip. Ideal parking spots would likely be in residential areas, making your spaces a perfect base for their needs.

A Long-Term Solution to a Persistent Problem

We’re not there yet. Autonomous driving has captured the headlines consistently over the past few months and even years, but has not yet reached a point of go-to-market readiness for the transportation area. And even when it does, adoption will be slowly, and we may not get to see a 100% adoption rate of driverless cars for another 80 years.

But at the same time, the technology is undoubtedly advancing. Google and Uber are expanding their test markets, and Tesla is already rolling out semi-autonomous platforms on all of its vehicles. If you’re planning to monetize your space for parking spots, understanding the future of this technology is crucial for long-term viability.

Parking, especially in urban areas, is a problem. The bad news for car owners, and the good news for you if you’re renting out space, is that it won’t stop being a problem anytime soon. As long as people want to visit your area, they’ll need parking spots, whether that be for their own vehicles of the driverless alternatives that got them there.

And when that happens, you can monetize the opportunity with a connected car app like ParqEx. In fact, our Private Parking Marketplace allows you to make money from your vacant space if you have it, or easily find parking alternatives if you need them. Contact us to learn more and sign up.

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