By Jeffrey Strain | MainStreet.com

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Global automakers look to China’s growing market as they gather at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Dan Deighan, CEO of money manager Deighan Financial Advisors, says President Obama has been too slow to push for advances in natural gas production.

By MainStreet Staff Writers

When you think of green driving, you probably think of hybrids, biodiesel or electric cars, but you can help the environment no matter what car you drive.

You can easily maximizing the fuel efficiency of your car, reducing your contribution to global warming. Here are 10 tips for how you can drive a regular car in a more environmentally friendly way:

1.    Choose low-octane gasoline. Unless your owner’s manual specifically recommends high-octane gas, 87 or 89 octane gas will not only be better for your car, it will be better for the environment. High-octane gas is slow burning, which is necessary in high-performance cars. If used in regular cars, unburned gas can get in the emissions system and cause a sulfur-like discharge.

2.    Make maintenance a priority. Regular servicing is required to keep an engine operating efficiently and making the most of its fuel. Be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Don’t overlook the air filter. You car’s air filter prevents impurities from getting into the engine, which can limit fuel efficiency.

3.    Check your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Under-inflated tires have more contact with the road and encounter more friction. This makes your engine work harder and use more fuel. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can improve your fuel efficiency by 3% just by properly inflating your tires.

4.    Keep it smooth. Fast acceleration and braking burns more gas because the engine has to overcome inertia. Focus on gradual changes in speed and driving with care to save gas. Coasting to a stop is more fuel-efficient than slamming on the brakes, for example.

5.    Slow it down. What’s the rush? The faster you drive, the more gas you burn. According to the EPA, you can improve your fuel efficiency by 15% by lowering your speed from 65 mph to 55 mph.

6.    Know where you’re going. Take the shortest route to your destination to cut down on driving time. If your car has navigation, use it. Alternatively, you can use Mapquest or Google Maps to plot the shortest route.

7.    Avoid idling. Sitting in your car with your engine on just wastes gas. If you have to wait in your car, turn the engine off. If possible, avoid driving during peak commuting times when you’ll end up idling in traffic.

8.    Roll the windows down. Using air conditioning uses fuel. When it’s not scorching hot outside, enjoy the breeze from the windows instead. But if you’re driving at highway speeds, roll ‘em up: The drag from open windows is worse than running the air conditioner.

9.    Don’t be a pack rat. Carrying a lot of stuff in your car weighs it down and makes the engine work harder. Clean out the truck of any junk you have accumulated. While you’re at it, remove a ski or bike rack you’re not using. These add wind resistance, which can also hurt fuel efficiency.

10.    Use overdrive. If your car has an overdrive device, this can save fuel at high speeds. When you shift into overdrive, there is less wear on the engine. Check the owner’s manual for the proper speed to switch on overdrive.

Taken individually, these tips will improve your fuel efficiency, and they can make a big difference as a whole.

Consumers are finding a little more in their wallets thanks to lower gas prices.

Nissan announced a quarterly loss and forecast a $2 billion slide into the red, the first since CEO Carlos Ghosn took the reins a decade ago.