Getting in debt is among the easiest things to do. From the convenience of credit cards to failed businesses, from hospital bills to losing a job, the ability to get in debt lurks inside all of us. Still, certain types of debt are easier to get in than others. The following sits among the easiest ways to find yourself owing more money that you have:

Medical Bills: From emergencies to planned surgeries, it has never been easier to acquire debt through medical bills. Health-care, simply put, is expensive. However, having an emergency fund, making sure your insurance doesn’t lapse, and negotiating your hospital bill can all help you avoid this kind of debt.

Unemployment: Losing a job can get you in debt really fast. While loss of job can’t always be avoided, having an emergency fund or a nest egg can help avoid the debt that usually comes with it.

Loss of Income: No matter what the reason, any time your income is reduced is cause for trouble. If your overtime is taken away, you lose a promotion, or you stop working a second job, debt can easily be accrued. The best way to thwart this accrual is to adapt to your loss of income. If you no longer have overtime money coming in, don’t spend as if you do.

Defaulting on Unsecured Debt: Despite what you may think, defaulting on unsecured debt is a problem. Your creditor can legally pursue you until that debt is paid. This can result in you paying more than the original amount (when you factor in things like court costs), and it can hurt you in other ways. From garnishment of wages to loss of insurance, from a black mark on your credit report to costing you a promotion or even a job, defaulting on a debt is a dangerous move.

Not Communicating with Your Creditor: Creditors, like you, have feelings and these provide them with the ability to understand. If you have been unable to pay your bill because of an illness, a death in the family, a loss of job, or a comparable catastrophe, tell your creditor. Many creditors have programs to help people who find themselves in these kind of hardships.

Charging, charging, charging: One of the quickest ways to accrue debt can be found in your wallet. Small and plastic, but dangerous, using your credit cards consistently can leave you in a world of debt. Instead, use credit cards wisely and only charge things that you can actually pay off.

Paying just the Minimum Payment: Paying just the minimum payment on a credit card is like running on a treadmill: it gets you nowhere. When you pay only the minimum payment you pay mostly interest, you hardly even touch the principal. Thus, paying the mere minimum will leave you forever in debt. Instead, pay more than the amount due, and try to make the dent in your debt a large one.

Paying the Wrong Bills first: If you are living from paycheck to paycheck, chances are you come up short every once in a while. This makes the order in which you pay your bills important. Instead of not paying on something you absolutely must have - such as your house or your car - make these bills a priority. Then pay things like credit cards and cable bills.

Refusing to Look at Your Bills: Many of us blindly pay our credit card bills, failing to really even look at what we owe. Instead of being in denial or unaware of your debt, make it an issue….and then make it an issue to pay it off. It’s also important to review your bills for accuracy: you don’t want to pay debt that you didn’t accrue.

Ignoring Your Credit Report: Believe it or not, you can actually change your credit report. Make a point to, at least once a year, request a copy (most states have them free) and look for mistakes or anything that doesn’t seem quite right. If something is out of place or incorrect, dispute it immediately. Having an erroneous claim on your credit report can dramatically hurt your credit score.

Single Parenthood or Divorce: Though these can’t always be avoided, divorce and raising a child single handedly can often leave people in extreme debt. In both these instances, having a savings account and an emergency fund is extremely important. They can leave you on your feet when the rest of the world sweeps you off them.

Relying on Your Ex: Divorce can dramatically hurt your credit. This is because of joint accounts. Chances are, you and your ex-spouse have - or had - a joint account. Even if your ex-spouse, upon finalizing the divorce, promises to pay their end, don’t believe them. If they default on a payment even once, it will hurt your credit. Instead, have the debt put in only one person’s name.

Cosigning for Someone Else: No matter who you consign a loan for - your kids, your friends, your neighbor - the result is still the same: you will be responsible for that debt. Instead of cosigning at will, don’t cosign at all, or at least only do it for someone who you know for sure will pay.

Beginning Bad Habits in College: Credit card debt, in particular, is often begun in college. Once it begins, it can take on a domino effect like existence. Instead of indulging creditors, particularly when you are young and financially inexperienced, avoid credit cards like you avoid 8 a.m. classes.

Having Little or No Savings: It goes without saying: savings are critical to avoiding debt. When you have savings, you have the ability to thwart anything that comes your way, whether it’s medical bills, loss of job or business losses.

Treating Money Lightly: Treating money lightly, using it for gambling or pyramid schemes, is a great way to get into debt. When you view money, view it as actual money and not as monopoly money.

Spending More Money Than You Have: Spending money that you don’t have is the perfect equation for debt. Even if you expect money to be coming in, a tax refund, a work bonus, a promotion, remember that nothing in life is a sure thing. Don’t spend as if it is.

Shopping Unwisely: One of the biggest factors in being in debt is spending habits. If you routinely shop unwisely, you can rest assured that you will end up owing more than you can afford. Instead of shopping till you drop, use smart measures when approaching the mall. Go in and get what you need and avoid window shopping or impulse buying. It’s also important to use sales wisely. If you are in dire need of a new washing machine, waiting for it to go on sale is a good move. But, if you buy a new washing machine just because it’s on sale - despite having a perfectly good one at home - you will find yourself quickly in debt.

Failing to Manage your Money: Money management is one of the most important things to understand if you want to remain debt free. Instead of spending at will, establish a budget, and stick to it. Manage your money; don’t let your money manage you.

Debt is easy to get in. But, luckily, it’s not impossible to get out of. If you are among the millions of people owing more money than you have and have been unable to resolve the situation on your own, try seeking outside help.