If you’re currently in credit card debt, wouldn’t it be nice to get on the path now towards a debt-free future? Even if you can’t afford to pay off all of your current debt at once, there are little steps you can take today that can help you live a debt-free life down the road.

Let’s explore five things you can do to get out of debt and build a future for yourself that doesn’t include an over-reliance on credit.

1. Re-evaluate Your Budget.

If you’re in debt now, chances are good that you’re living outside of your means. The only way to tackle this problem is to fully understand where your money is going so you can make better decisions moving forward. Re-evaluate your current budget or start tracking spending now to develop a budget if you don’t have one. Look for ways to cut your spending. You can start with the little things that won’t affect you too much until you get into the habit. The more you save, the more you might feel inclined to cut more spending to save even more.

2. Stop Charging New Purchases.

If credit card spending got you in trouble, you have to stop. Stop trying to justify using your credit cards. Yes, they can be good tools for convenience and they can lead to rewards. They can also be cheap or even free for you to use if you pay off your balance in full every month. But it’s time for a reality check. If you haven’t paid off your balance in full monthly before, chances are good you won’t suddenly adopt that behaviour. The temptation to overspend will be still strong. So stop using your credit cards and only spend money you actually have for a while. You can go back to credit cards in a more responsible way after you address your debt.

3. Choose Your Debt Reduction Plan.

Once you’ve stopped the overspending and you have a budget in place, you should know how much money you’ll have available to pay off debts each month. Now it’s time to figure out how to use that money most effectively. Choose a debt repayment plan that works for you, and stick with it. For example, you’ll likely get out of debt fastest if you pay down high interest debts first. But if you need more motivation, paying off debts with the lowest balances first might inspire you to stick with it — you’ll reach smaller goals more quickly.

4. Build Your Own Emergency Fund.

As you pay down existing debt, also work to build a cash-based emergency fund. Then if a sudden unexpected expense comes up, you won’t fall into the trap of financing it with your credit cards. This is your financial cushion, like insurance against future debt.

5. Set Up Automatic Payments.

When you know which debt reduction plan is right for you, set up your payments through your bank. Have your bills paid automatically each month so you can’t forget or put them off. In addition to the convenience of this, it also takes some of the stress off of you. You don’t have to think about your debts as much. Let your bank deal with them for you.

Even little changes in how you think about and treat your credit cards can go a long way towards helping you get out of debt. Where will you start?