It’s never too early to think about planning for retirement, but before you start maxing out your retirement fund, you may find that it’s in your best interest to tackle debts first. After all, high-interest debts can cost you over the years. If you don’t address them early on, they could cancel out a surprisingly high percentage of your retirement savings. Find out how to get a handle on your debt and work your way toward debt-free retirement.

Get a Handle on Credit Card Debt

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Many debt management experts recommend using what’s known as the debt snowball method to get a handle on what you owe. The idea behind this method involves addressing your smallest debt first and gradually checking each one off your list until you’ve paid them all.

In many cases, paying off your credit card debt will get the ball rolling. Rather than merely paying the minimum payment each month, write a check for as much as you can afford. Use your preferred budgeting tool to calculate how much you can spare, cut monthly costs where you can, and watch your credit card slowly melt away as a result of your hard work.

Leave Your Auto Loans in the Dust

Just because you have a five-year car loan doesn’t mean you have to carry it for the next 60 months. To pay down your auto loan quickly, assess your options. Find out if you can pay your loan off early without penalty, and then make a plan to do so.

Making more frequent payments and contributing your whole paycheck during extra pay periods can both help you take a chunk out of a large auto loan. If early repayment isn’t an option, consider refinancing your auto loan instead. Your local credit union or bank may offer a lower interest rate or more attractive repayment terms.

Deal With Student Loans

If you’re convinced that you’ll be paying off your student loans for the next several decades, don’t give up so quickly. After all, unlike credit card payments and auto loans, student loans offer more creative repayment options.

Look into student loan consolidation options to turn multiple smaller loans into one larger debt. Choose a consolidation option that includes a lower overall interest rate and a monthly payment that you can afford to amplify your savings. Remember that most student loan servicers allow you to prepay as much as you like, so you may be able to tackle your student loan debt faster than you’d anticipated.

Should you refinance your student loan? Check Student loans refinancing calculator

Pay Off Your Mortgage

If you have a home loan, there’s good chance that this is by far your largest debt. While you should always make your monthly payments, save any rapid mortgage repayment strategies until you’ve taken care of your other debts. Changing to a biweekly payment plan, making extra payments toward your principal, and refinancing your mortgage are all smart ways to put this debt behind you.

Getting a handle on your debts takes time and commitment, but it’s a strategy that’s bound to pay off in the long run. Use these tips to pay off your debts before investing more than any employer match in tax-advantaged retirement accounts and make your retirement planning count.