If you have to question if you’re living beyond your means, chances are that you are, in fact, living beyond your means. Not only is it a woefully easy trap to fall into, but you might not even notice you’ve fallen at first. Read on for signs that you’re headed for trouble and steps you can take to get back on track.

You’re Not Paying Off Debt

Using your credit card is fine as long as you’re able to pay off most or all of the balance each month. If you pay only the minimum due each month, you are likely in over your head. If you’re unable to pay the balance in full, you should at least pay something toward the principal balance each month. You should also stop using the credit card while you chip away at paying off the balance.

Housing Costs are Too High

The general recommendation is to keep your mortgage or rent below 30 percent of your monthly pre-tax income. If you stay around this percentage, you’ll find that you have income left over to cover other expenses as well as save, invest, and build wealth in general. Depending on where you live, staying below 30 percent can be a challenge because some rental and mortgage costs are higher in some regions of the country than in others. If your housing costs are eating up a large chunk of your monthly take-home pay, you might think about downsizing or finding a way to increase your income, possibly with a side hustle.

You Rely on Credit Cards for Emergencies

A survey conducted by Bankrate recently found that only 40% of people could pay for a $1000 emergency with savings. The downer about credit cards is that you need to pay them back — with interest. Depending on your card’s annual percentage rate (APR) and the time it takes to pay off the balance, you could end up paying hundreds more than the original cost. This is why an emergency fund is crucial. Aim to start with a savings of $1,000. Once you reach that goal, aim to save enough to cover a few months’ worth of expenses. Having the ability to dip into an emergency savings fund rather than using credit to cover unexpected costs will help keep you out of debt and your finances on track.

Your Credit Score Has Dropped

If you don’t always pay your bills on time or you’ve been relying on credit cards for a lot of expenses, your credit score may have dropped. Your credit score is a determining factor in your ability to secure any new lines of credit. It also may be used to influence the interest rate you’ll pay on a mortgage or car loan. You can get a free copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus. Take the time to examine it to understand why your credit score has dropped, then take the necessary steps to repair it. This could mean simply getting control of your budget and guaranteeing your monthly payments are made on time, or it may mean digging deeper and working with a credit repair company.

You’re Not Contributing to a Retirement Plan

While you need to attend to current expenses and basic necessities, if you’re not also planning for the future, you’re likely to find yourself in trouble down the road. Saving for retirement can be done in many ways, and it’s in your best interest to start as soon as possible in order to allow your cash to grow with compound interest. Don’t worry if you’re getting a late start — you’re better off to just start where you are. Even contributing a small amount of each paycheck to a 401(k) or IRA will help build wealth over time.

You Don’t Have a Budget

If you’re always wondering where exactly the money from your last paycheck went, that’s probably a sign that you’re living above your means. A budget is the first step to getting financially organized. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Simply list your monthly bills and expenses one by one and their corresponding required payment. Then plan where your money will go that month and stick to it. Sticking to a budget can take some self-discipline, and it may seem restricting at first, but you’re ultimately giving yourself more financial freedom.

You’re Losing Sleep Over Money

Living paycheck-to-paycheck and worrying about how you’re going to pay your bills and tackle debt can ratchet up stress levels and take a toll on your health. Take the time to analyze your finances so you can pinpoint the problems, and get to fixing them. Make financial self-care a goal, and you can begin to experience the freedom of living within your means.