Many people who are in debt have tried at least once, and probably several times, to pay off their debts. Sadly, a significant number of these people end up getting even further into debt than they were when they started.

What’s the reason for these people accumulating even more debt? The answer lies in the methods that they use to get out of debt. Those people who take on additional debt in a desperate attempt to pay off their debts are only putting a temporary patch on the hole in their “financial ship”. Debt consolidation loans can appear to work for a while, but eventually the self-defeating habit of overspending will sabotage them.

The true answer to the problem can be found in fixing the underlying habitual behaviors that originally created the debt problem. The best way to accomplish this is by using a proven plan for paying off debt, one that won’t let you continue in your old ways.

What are the steps of the best plan for getting out of debt and avoiding bad habits?

The first step in a good debt repayment plan is to create a buffer between yourself and debt. When you’re running low on money, even a little financial emergency can pressure you into going back to using debt. What’s a buffer? It is a small amount of savings, around $500 to $100, depending on your own unique situation. This buffer should be enough to pay for an emergency car repair, a plumbing emergency, or get you through a week or two if your paycheck is late.

The next step is to take on no additional debt. This means no debt reduction loans, no additional mortgages, or any other debt. If you take out a second mortgage in an attempt to pay off credit card debt, you’re replacing an unsecured debt with a secured loan. This means that if you are unable to pay off your debt, you’re at risk of losing your home.

The third step is to make a plan for paying off your debts. The order in which you pay off your debts makes a huge difference. Do if wrong, and you’ll lose your motivation to pay off your debts. Do it right, and you’ll pay off your debts quickly while becoming more and more motivated to get out of debt.

The fourth step is to work your plan. The easiest way to accomplish this is to automate your plan for paying off debt. The best way to do this is to use an automatic bill payment service. Your bank probably offers this service. Once you set it up, an automatic bill payment service will keep you from incurring any late fees. This alone makes it worthwhile, but when you add in the fact that most bill payment services are free, this becomes a must-do if you’re serious about getting out of debt.

The final step is to stick with your plan. After a while, you’ll develop a little momentum, and this will become even easier. The right plan for paying off your debts can make a significant difference.

That’s all you have to do. Now you can finally pay off your debts, even if you’ve failed every time you’ve tried. All it takes is the correct approach.

Sean Payne has taught people how to get out of debt for over 10 years. To get more information about how to pay off debt, check out Sean’s excellent free course on debt reduction management.