5 Easy Ways to Save Money

Even the smartest people let stupid expenses such as traffic tickets and bank fees slide into their budget.

Jeffrey Strain

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Even the smartest people let stupid costs creep into

their budgets.

You might focus on stretching every last dime, but you can sabotage yourself if you rack
up costs you could easily avoid. Here are some common expenses that can add up
over time:

5. Traffic tickets

When you're in a rush, you're likely to drive too fast or miss a "no parking" sign. Next
thing you know, a police officer is writing you a $200 ticket or your car is being towed.

Besides the fines you're charged, tickets can cause your car insurance rates to rise,
raising your expenses long-term. Driving fast also wastes gas and raises your accident
risk.

4. Bank fees

Whether through overdraft penalties or automatic teller machine fees, banks charge
customers in many ways. Avoiding these fees requires people to simply pay more
attention.

Leave a small cushion in your bank account to prevent overdrafts. Look for banks that
offer free checking and savings accounts or better yet, ones that would pay interest on
your balances. And try to avoid ATM fees by anticipating your cash needs in advance
so you're not forced to turn to the closest machine if you find yourself in a rush and low
on money.

3. Late payments

It's easy to forget a bill. But your bad memory or poor organization skills will cost you
through late fees and higher interest rates.

Avoid late payments by paying all your bills together on a specific day each month. You
can also arrange for your bank to automatically pay your bills as soon as they arrive.
2. Automatically renewed memberships and subscriptions

Many people sign up for memberships and subscriptions that automatically renew each
month with the best intentions. In reality, they don't end up using them and they
continue to be charged.

Review all your memberships and subscriptions and ask yourself if you're using them. If
you aren't, it's time to cancel them.

1. Untapped discounts or negotiation opportunities

While haggling isn't as common in the U.S. as it is in other countries, there are certain
situations in which negotiating a price is not only acceptable, it's expected. Buying a
car is a good example. Still, some people would rather pay the listed price instead of
making a lower offer.

People often qualify for discounts because they're members of clubs like trade
organizations or AAA. But they might be too embarrassed to ask about them at the
register. If you're one of these people, find a less shy friend to help you.