Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/847273
The perks for this kind of economy are numerous. "There are financial benefits to shar- ing things and just paying for access when you need them instead of owning them," says Beth Buczynski, author of Sharing Is Good: How to Save Money, Time and Resources Through Col- laborative Consumption. Let's say you only need a car once a month. Using the app Uber to have someone else pick you up probably makes more financial sense than paying for the insur- ance and maintenance of a car. On the flip side, that Uber driver can use the extra cash to offset the costs of car ownership. Participants also welcome convenience, affordability, location — Airbnb rentals are usually nestled in popular areas of a hot des- tination — and availability that share economy platforms allow. Those who are worried about how much we consume are attracted to sharing, too. When Buczynski joined a co-working space, she got excited about the idea of a collabora- tive community. With a background in writing about sustainable living, "I started to realize that there were some really awesome green byproducts of incorporating these things into your life that were just happening as a result of doing something that's already convenient and attractive," she says. Learning to Wondering how you can get involved? Even if you're not ready to give up your car or offer your spare bedroom to strangers, there's plenty you can do. Maybe it's buying a handcrafted item on Etsy or investing in someone's great invention on Indiegogo. Try grabbing a Lyft ride the next time you visit a big city or selling your kids' outgrown clothes through thredUP. "Don't feel like you have to share everything," Buczynski says. "We can't all share everything, but everyone can share something." You never know what you might get: extra spending mon- ey, eco-friendly karma points and maybe even a new friend with a cozy school bus conversion. Sharing everyone share benefits AACreditUnion.org | | 15