Is there really a "parallel economy"?

[PetrChelcicky]

I have just read
https://imge.com/what-is-the-parallel-economy/
But I am not sure about it. The idea of a parallel economy is of course rather old and some attempts have been made over the last hundred years, but mostly shortlived and unsuccessful.
I see that there are rather intense attempts to build a parallel infosystem for internet users, in order to avoid Facebook, Twitter or Youtube. But that is only one rather specialised branch. Then there are more left-leaning and more right-leaning businesses and people who prefer a certain business b/o its political leaning. But that is more a temporary affair (take Chick-fil-A as an example).
I have a lot of problems with Paypal and am at the brink, but have not yet decided what to use instead.
(Of course it would be nice to say that I don't buy a VW (because they just let Elon Musk down), but in fact I have no car and no driver licence.)
So what's your idea and how far are you - by your own feeling - part of a parallel economy???