This might sound obvious, but did you know that one of the best ways to reduce your debt is to simply not add to it? It is amazing how many people agonize over their debt and continue to use their credit cards and take out loans! Sure, using a credit card and paying it off every month can be a fabulous way to raise your credit score butI’m going to guess that if you are scared of your debt then you aren’t exactly in a place where you can pay off your credit card every month.

Here are a few quick ways to make sure that you don’t add to your debt.

1. Take the credit cards out of your wallet. One woman I know was so serious about not using her credit cards until they had been completely paid each of her credit cards in a Ziploc bag full of water and then stored those bags in the freezer. I’m not saying that you have to be that extreme, but you are far less likely to buckle under impulse buying pressure if your credit cards are at home.

2. Only buy something if you have the cash on hand to pay for it. There is nothing wrong with buying something small if you already have the cash in your wallet—as long as that cash isn’t earmarked for something else.

3. Consolidate wherever possible. Is it possible to pay off two smaller debts with high interest by using a third credit account that has a lower interest rate? This won’t necessarily get rid of that debt, but it will keep it from growing quickly. If you own two cars, consider selling one car and sharing the second. Use the money from the sale of the car to pay down your debt!

4. Shop only when you need to. There are tons of people who like to simply “go shopping.” It’s a hobby instead of a necessity. If this is you, find a different hobby! There are plenty of things to do that do not involve spending money (or involve a very small amount of money)! Hobby shopping is one of the easiest ways to rack up debt.

The basic idea is this: when you keep spending money or taking out loans, you aren’t going to reduce your debt. You are simply going to keep it in limbo—especially if you add the same amount to your credit cards that you pay on them each month. Paying cash, consolidating your expenses and shopping only as a necessity are great ways to keep your debt going in the right direction: down. When it comes to debt? Down is good.