We love sharing - and we're not alone - #globalsharingweek

The sharing economy is booming. Matching individuals who need something with those who can provide it. That's the idea. Sharing is far from novel as a concept (we all had to learn to share our toys!). But, with technology at our disposal, we can now share quickly, efficiently and globally. Businesses are making the most of this tech to make daily life easier. And often cheaper. To celebrate #globalsharingweek here are some awesome companies using the power of sharing: Airbnb

Airbnb allows homeowners to rent out their homes to holiday makers. Founded in 2008 it currently has listings in 34,000 cities globally. It's changing the way people think about where they lay their heads when they travel. Why book an expensive hotel room when you can rent an entire flat for a fraction of the price? Meet the locals, experience the culture, save on room service. Triple win. Funding Circle

Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer lending service, matching savers with small to medium sized businesses. Founded in 2010, the startup has seen huge growth and provided over £600 million in loans. By creating an online platform allowing investors to search for businesses, it's a simple solution to a complex problem. Plus it's helping entrepreneurs get the investment they need. Read more about how FinTech is changing finance here. City Car Club

City Car Club is one of the UK’s leading car clubs. What's so great about them? You no longer need to rent a car, just share one. City Car Club has 840 low-emission vehicles, available to members in 13 UK towns and cities. Not only is it saving people money, it's helping reduce pollution. Awesome. Wise

We couldn't resist mentioning our little revolution against the banks. Wise harnesses the power of peer-to-peer technology allowing people to send money abroad at a fraction of the price. Find out more in the video above, or scroll down to see how much you could save. How does the sharing economy make your life better? Join the conversation on Twitter at #globalsharingweek.

What is Wise?

Wise is the clever new way to convert money to send abroad. The idea is very simple.

Banks charge you huge fees when you send your money abroad. Then they hide more fees in unfair exchange rates. Wise has found a simple way to bypass the banks and make international money transfers transparent and fair. Like they should be. The pricing is transparent. The exchange rate is the real one. The small fee is easy to spot. See how much you could save: