Struggling with debt is common. It’s all too easy to end up in debt, whether it comes from a medical bill, credit cards, or student debt. Regardless of where it comes from however, once debt has accumulated, it can be very hard to get out of it.

If you’re struggling with debt, here are a few simple tips to help get out.

Don’t make it worse

The first and most important step is to stop adding to the debt problem. Cut up your credit cards, freeze your credit if you need to, but don’t continue to add more to your debt load if you’re struggling to get out.

Focus on one bill

If you have a lot of different bills, it’s best to focus on one bill at a time. Pay the minimum that you need to on other bills so that you don’t get behind, and then put as much money as you can extra on that one bill. When that bill is gone, you can take all the money that you were spending on that bill, and pile it on the next one.

Try paying off the smallest bill first

If you have a lot of recurring bills that need your attention, the smallest bill is usually the easiest to pay off. Small bills usually go quickly, and you can take the money that would normally be paid on that bill and pile it onto the next smallest bill. This can make you feel more encouraged as you pay off debt, and help it seem like its going quickly.

This method is called the snowball method, and it’s an excellent method for reducing debt.

Or highest interest first

A different method of paying off debt is called the Avalanche method. In this method you make the bill of focus your highest interest bill, no matter how big it is, and pay that off first. This is the most financially sensible plan, because you will save money on interest payments as you go, but it can be discouraging if the bill is large.

Ask to lower your interest rate

If you have good or excellent credit, you may be able to ask your creditors to lower interest rates, which can help you put more money down on the debt itself. Asking for lower interest rates can be as simple as picking up the phone, and the worst they can do is say no.

If they don’t want to do this, work on improving your credit score and avoid missing payments for at least a year before trying again. This will make you a more attractive customer and they’ll be more likely to say yes.

One final trick to helping encourage them to say yes, let them know you will close your account once it is paid off and to whom you will be moving to. This can sometimes be enough to sway them to lower your payment.

Debt is a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. Use these tips to help pay your debt down, so you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and feel more financially stable.