Parking 'round the world

Whoever said you can't save both time and money hasn't tried this parking app.

Name: ParkMe Parking

Available for: Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

What it does: Provides a "heat map" of real-time parking spaces in lots and garages in 1,800 cities around the world. Sometimes you can pay in advance to reserve a spot.

Cost: Free

What's hot: Great for business and leisure travelers alike. The app and Web version (www.ParkMe.com) will save users time and aggravation in looking for parking at a sporting event, concert, business meeting, and more. My favorite feature, besides the real-time, is that you can sort results by "Best Price" or "Least Pain." At some point, it's not worth saving $3 if you have to walk umpteen blocks to get to the cheaper lot.

What's not: I found the "Nearby Places" feature hit or miss. When I was looking near my suburban home for a family function, I found great info on a street lot. But the recommended Nearby Places were 14 to 30 miles away.

Worth it? Yes. Who likes driving around looking for parking spaces or lots inexpensive enough to suit your budget?