WITH the costs of running a car shifting up a gear, it pays to save on parking.
We spend more than 40 hours a year looking for a space, and the costs — including for lost time — when we do find one make up around a third of our car ownership spend, according to a survey by transportation experts Inrix.
Follow these steps to put some precious pennies back in your purse . . .
SPACE AGE: Download app JustPark and get 45,000 parking spaces across the country at your fingertips.
Many are in people’s unused driveways, which can work out cheaper.
If you have your own unused space, you can rent it out via the app, too.
CLEVER CODES: If you’re parking up while on holiday, look for voucher codes to bring down the cost.
There’s currently ten per cent off JetParks parking with an exclusive code from MyVoucherCodes.co.uk.
FREE AND EASY: Whether you want to pull up on the street or turn into a space in a car park, the Parkopedia app will flag up available spots and let you know the cost, finding you cheap and free spaces you didn’t know were there.
FINDS NOT FINES: Register with the RingGo app and, where it’s signposted, you can pay for your parking in seconds without having to scrabble for change.
Even better, if you run over time, you can avoid costly fines by topping up your time via the app.
MEMBERS’ PERKS: If you live by the coast or regularly escape to the country, membership of the National Trust might end up saving you cash.
Individual adult membership starts from £6.40 a month, or from £38.40 a year for 18-to-25 year olds.
Both deals include parking.
PARKING PAY-BACK: Using cashback sites is another way to save.
At TopCashback right now, members can get 20 per cent of their parking costs returned as cashback at Gatwick and Birmingham Airparks.
Just book with Holiday Extras through TopCashback.com.
- All prices on this page are correct at time of going to press.
Deal of the day
JUMP for joy at the new price for a Sportspower 10ft Quad Lok trampoline from George, £135 down from £169, at Asda until April 19.
SAVE: £34
Cheap treat
THERE is a half-price offer from today until April 19 on Wilko pick and mix.
A sharing pot is now £2, down from £4.
SAVE: £2
What’s new?
JOIN Halfords Motoring Club for free to get perks including a £10 voucher off a £20 spend, £10 off your MOT and a free ten-point car check.
Top swap
SNUGGLE up in the Elements Bako reversible geometric double duvet cover and pillowcase set from Dunelm, £20, or pay £9.99 for a Boston Geo set from The Range.
SAVE: £10.01
Leah’s little helper
MUMS, put a date in the diary for Aldi’s Mamia Baby Event, available to pre-order from April 17.
Offers include the My Babiie stroller for £59.99.
Shop & save
GET the white wine on ice for Easter with some great deals at M&S including a third off Mystery Bay Sauvignon Blanc, down from £9 to £6.
SAVE: £3
Hot right now
SOW much to look forward to. Homebase has Mr Fothergill’s Easy Grow veg seed bundle down from £11.95 to £3.
Play now to win £100
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
To take part go to sunsavers.co.uk or open the Sun Savers app.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.