When you're in college or you live in a big city, you know just how stressful parking your car can be. Either you spend a fortune on parking every day, or you spend an hour finding a free spot that may never even appear. Luckily, there's a few ways you can save money and time on parking so you don't have to stress so much any more.

1. There's an App for That

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There are tons of apps for parking that will tell you where to find the most affordable parking lots and whether there are spots available. Most college campuses will have apps just for their parking garages that will tell you what percentage of spots are open so you'll know whether you can snag a spot. Using these apps will save you both money and time because you can see how much parking will cost you and whether it's worth looking for a free or cheaper spot.

2. Use Parking Coupons

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If you're parking in an airport or a big city where you can't avoid paying for parking, you should check out google for parking coupons before spending your money. This may only save you a few dollars, but over time it can really make a difference and make parking a little bit more bearable. All you need to do is google the parking garage and type in coupons after the name and see if anything comes up. You'll be surprised by how much savings are out there.

3. Don't Rush

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The most important way you can save money on parking is to allow yourself plenty of time to find free or affordable parking. If you're in a rush and you're trying to park during peak hours, you're either not going to find any parking spots or you'll drop a fortune. If you can avoid these peak hours by being ahead of schedule, you can save a ton of money on parking your car every day.

Parking on college campuses and in big cities doesn't have to mean you'll be breaking the bank. To save money, you need to be proactive and seek out free or discounting parking, and make sure you always have plenty of time to find good spots.