San Francisco is known for its culture, restaurants, nightlife. . . and parking tickets! As diverse as the city's population is, one thing all car owners can agree on is constantly dodging the plague of parking citations.

It seems that you can go months without receiving one, but the second you see that white envelope pasted underneath your windshield wiper, you're screwed. Next thing you know, tickets are popping up on your car constantly. You say you'll pay them when you get your next pay check, but let's get real, that never happens. If you choose to pay, then hats off to you! The average college student most likely hides their tickets in the glove compartment hoping the city will send notice to their parents who will graciously pay the bill, I admit it, I do. Instead of dreading the hundreds of dollars you have stacked up in unpaid citations, there are strategies to avoid getting those obnoxious tickets in the first place. It takes a little planning, but isn't thinking ahead worth the agony of wasting your grocery and beer money on not parking your car in a "safe" zone?

First off, try your hardest not to park in an area where street cleaning is going to happen in the near future. It sounds obvious but read the freaking signs! If you see a red and white sign that says street cleaning, Thursdays from 12-1pm, and it's 11:15am, don't park there! You say to yourself that you will remember, but odds are you won't. Something will come up: a fight with your significant other or an unexpected nap, something will steer you away from moving your car.

If you must park somewhere around the time of street cleaning then set an alarm. It sounds ridiculous, but you will be so thankful when you get caught up in a game of Grand Theft Auto and a blaring beeping alarms you to move your car. The alternative is having the meter maid fold a ticket in the crevice of the hood of your car.

Secondly, always put money in the meter. Even if you are dropping something off at a friend's house or running into a store. It makes your wallet lighter and saves you $60 bucks. Trust me, they will find you. It's a curse; if you don't pay the ticket Nazis will punish you.

Thirdly, there are just some places in San Francisco you should not drive to. The Marina is a big no-no, there is never parking anywhere! Unless you want to pay for public parking which costs an arm and a leg, you will not find a place for your car. The spots where you do find are placed on the side of a gigantic hill and you will spend your entire time out worried that your car might roll away. This parking is not only unsafe and horrible on your breaks, but always two hours only. Who wants to move their car every two hours? If you think you won't get a ticket. . . you're wrong. Here is an easy solution, take public transportation. It's way cheaper to take the bus or even a taxi, depending on how close you live. Downtown is the same hassle, expensive parking structures, lots of ticket giving and just a big headache!

Finally, if you have to park somewhere you know you could receive a ticket, lie. Write a note pleading not to give you a ticket because you lost your keys or your transmission went out and you're waiting on a tow company to get your car. It sounds crazy but it has worked for me. If you take the time to write a note, the parking poopers might take pity on you.