Summary: Most "sharing economy" apps aren't about sharing they're simply peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces to make and save money. But there are real sharing apps that reduce waste, save money, help make friends, and improve your local community. For example, my partner and I use Streetbank.com to share things locally, save money by avoiding unnecessary consumption, and get to know people in our community.

For-profit peer-to-peer marketplaces also have a place in putting underutilised things to work, making renting rather than owning viable, and providing new ways for individuals to save and make money. For example, we use Car Next Door to borrow local cars for long-distance trips. We use Airbnb to save money on accommodation and have occasionally rented our own place out. And we use Spinlister overseas to both rent local's bikes cheaply as well as rent out our own to visitors from out-of-town.

In this post, I will collate a list of the most useful peer-to-peer apps for Australians - both real sharing like Streetbank and commercial platforms like Car Next Door.

Details:

Household goods, tools, baby-stuff, etc

Streetbank.com is for free sharing and by far the best option. Melbourne has a lot of users but it is growing in other major cities and you can help it expand it your neighbourhood.

There are for-profit websites like Open Shed but I don't recommend using them except for very high-value items you wouldn't share for free.


Car sharing

Car Next Door is the best option available and cheapest for borrowers for all trips except ones over 300km. The link above will give you $15 free driving credit.


Accommodation

Airbnb is most useful for renting out your entire home when away or just a room occasionally to make extra money. It also has the most listings for those booking accommodation.

Home Camp is for sharing backyards with travellers who camp in tents on the cheap.


Car Spaces

Parkhound

Find a car park


Storage Space

Spacer


Pet Minding and House-sitting

Mad Paws

Find a Dog Minder


Bike sharing

Spinlister


Tasks and Errands

The aim of financial freedom is to spend less time doing work for income so I'm not a fan of income-focused "side hustles," especially if low-paying. But they have a place for those needing flexibility, who don't have well-paid work options, or who genuinely enjoy the tasks.

In theory, on-demand services sites could free up your time spent on chores for work you love or leisure but, in practice, there appears little need for this.

Airtasker


Further Info:

The Cusp
> 6 ways the sharing economy will help you earn extra cash

Planetcentric
> Collaborative consumption in Australia