Are you tired of endless circling at the mall or even the grocery store trying to find the perfect parking spot or ANY parking spot? Well there are some tips on finding parking spaces!

Technology is transforming parking and making it more consumer-friendly. Smart meters, new apps for smartphones and mobile devices, sensors, and sophisticated guidance systems that identify available spaces are being used in an increasing number of cities to make it easier to find, reserve, and pay for parking.

Whether or not these high-tech solutions are available in your city yet, these ten tips can help to make holiday parking easier:

Carpool with family or friends. A shopping outing with friends is a greener alternative that reduces the demand for parking, and it’s more fun!

Sign up. If your city offers smart parking options such as pay-by-phone, be sure to set up an account before you head out.

Google it. Check the parking section of your destination’s website. Many restaurants, theaters, shopping centers, and airports offer helpful information about local parking options.

Avoid endless circling. Circling and “perching,” the practice of waiting and following someone to their car, are inefficient, time-consuming, and fuel-wasting. Try to stay in an area where you can see 10 spots, odds are one of them will open up within 1min 30sec.

Take the distant parking spot. Walking is good exercise and a stress reducer.

Heads up. Whether driving or walking in a parking area, avoid distractions such as texting, rummaging through bags, and talking on the phone. One study cites fourteen percent of vehicle collisions that result in insurance claims happen in parking areas.

Obey parking signs. ‘Tis the season to avoid getting a ticket. Read signs carefully and don’t take spots reserved for drivers with disabilities unless you have a valid permit.

Watch for children. Little ones can make unpredictable moves and stand below drivers’ lines of vision.

Take note. Remember your parking location by level, section, and spot by jotting it down or snapping a photo. At a metered spot, note the expiration time. Some mobile apps will text or call you when your parking time is almost up.

Lock up. Always be sure your car is in park, close the windows, lock your vehicle, and hide valuables and packages from sight. Never leave a child or pet in the car!

Best tip of all? Planning ahead and allowing extra time to find parking may be the best strategy for finding the right spot – and the right attitude – during the holidays. And remember as always DRIVE SAFE!!!