I have a bad habit that I need to quit: collecting parking tickets. Since I started attending Oregon State University I have paid more in parking tickets than it would have cost to get a parking pass. A student parking pass per term is $59 and a year-long pro-rated pass is $118. My habit even gets worse. When I worked in Eugene (a nearby town) this past summer I used to have to move my car every two hours to avoid fines. Inevitably, I accumulated multiple parking tickets.

I don't know why I have such a bad habit, but I'm wasting a lot of money that could be used towards other expenses. $100 equals not only what I pay a month in my utilities, but I could also pay off some debt or buy a ticket to San Francisco! If you need to kick the parking ticket habit too, there are easy ways to do so.

• Buy a parking permit. Many cities have parking permits in school, business and residential areas. Don't rack up dollar after dollar on tickets, just pay for the parking permit! Plus it saves you the hassle of having to go and pay each ticket. (If you are like me you forget to pay and then have extra fees added to the bill!)
• Find different ways to commute to work. Bus systems are widespread and students often ride free. If bussing isn't your thing, ride a bike: you save money, get exercise and reduce your carbon footprint. This gets two thumbs up from me.
• Recruit a buddy. Find co-workers or fellow students and start riding together--the more the merrier. Pitch in on one parking permit and cut your expenses.

There are many benefits to these parking alternatives and if you suffer from an addiction to parking tickets (like me), your wallet will be sure to thank you when the bad habit is kicked to the curb.

Update: Between when I wrote this blog and it was published, I ran into even more trouble with the Transit and Parking Services at Oregon State. I returned to my car the other day after work to find a boot on one of my wheels. I really should have taken my own advice, or paid attention to the parking rules and regulations. After my meter time ran out my car was booted for having unpaid tickets. I had to sheepishly walk myself to parking services to pay up and get the boot removed. Total cost: $350. That's a whole month of rent! I need to buy a parking permit. 

--Makenzie

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