Are you throwing your net worth into the wind?

Mitt Romney wants you to ask yourself whether you are better off now than you were four years ago. Obviously, he is trying to get elected, but it is a good question. Not simply because president Obama has been the steward of a failing economy, but as a way to see if you are one of the millions that wastes large amounts of money each year. To find out, here are ten common ways that Americans throw their net worth to the wind.

10 Ways consumers piddle away their net worth

• Banks raked in $7 billion in ATM fees last year. Surely, you can find an in-network ATM. Another suggestion is to shop around for a bank or credit union that will waive or reimburse ATM fees in exchange for a direct deposit or other consideration from you.
• Collectively, Americans spend an average of $12 billion on traffic fines each year. Do you really need to give the government more money than they already collect from your paycheck?
• Do you feel lucky? $31 billion went to lottery sales in 2010.
• $29 billion went to candy makers. Look for more creative ways to say you are sorry and healthier ways to snack.
• $44 billion was spent on tobacco products. That amount does not include the health care costs associated with tobacco use.
• $50 billion was spent on booze. Again, this does not include the costs of a DUI or health issues from drinking excessively.
• $49 billion was wasted in credit card interest last year alone.
• Didn't get enough of the hose on a lottery ticket? Americans spent $125 billion at casinos last year. No wonder they comp so many rooms.
• A total of $146 billion went into the wind in the form of wasted energy. You can find plenty of suggestions on how to reverse that trend at energystar.gov.
• On average, Americans throw $165 billion in food into the trash each year. For many it is the habit of buying on impulse that leads to having food expire at home. Writing a list, never shopping hungry, and using coupons are all easy ways to lower the amount of food that you throw away each week.

Even if you do not stop your bad habits, maybe you can cut back on them. After all, we all have a vice, but curbing it could save you hundreds, if not thousands, each year. Get control of your habits, then ask yourself if you are better off than you were four years ago.

This guest post has been provided by Keystone Auto Loans, a company that helps people get approved for auto financing despite high risk credit situations such as bankruptcy and repossession. Go here to learn more.