There is no such thing as a quick and easy way to get out of debt, but there are realistic steps you can take to get debt under control.

Develop a budget: Assess how much money you make and how much you spend. Writing down all your expenses is an easy way to get a realistic picture of where your money goes. Your goal should be to make sure you can pay for the essentials, like food and shelter, with enough left over to tackle your bills.

Contact your creditors: If you’re having trouble making payments, you may be able to work out a modified payment plan with your creditors. Let them know right away if you’re struggling before the accounts get turned over to debt collectors. If your accounts do get turned over to debt collectors, this video from the Federal Trade Commission can help you understand your rights.

Look into debt relief services: Credit counseling could help you set up a plan to pay off your debts. Even though many credit counseling groups are nonprofits, their services aren’t necessarily free.

Get more tips for managing your debt.

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Mortgage forms from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

When you apply for a mortgage you usually receive two separate forms with information about the loan.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) wants to make the mortgage process easier to understand by creating one form with all of the information about your mortgage.

The CFPB has two draft forms — you can vote on which one you think is the best and then provide your comments on the form.

The deadline to vote is Friday.

Vote now.