While you’re working, retirement is a dream. For some of us, it’s a more distant dream than for others. I know some people who don’t think they’ll ever retire. There are a few reasons for that, from paying off unexpected medical bills, to thinking they didn’t get started early enough to retire, so why start now? But by far the biggest obstacle people face when they want to start saving for retirement but can’t seem to find the extra money in their paycheck is debt.

One of the biggest psychological hurdles of being in debt is sorting it all out. It can be very easy to just see a pile of minimum monthly payments. You pay them like every other bill and forget about them. Your mortgage, your credit card, your car payment and your student loans become nothing more than the cost of living. You know this practice will keep you in debt forever, but you stay in survival mode just “one more month.”

At some point, you’ll realize you can’t spend any more time in debt. You’ll get serious about righting your financial ship and you’ll make a debt repayment plan. This message is for you. You can get out of debt, and you can start saving for retirement too. One is not necessarily more important than the other, but they both have a time component. Let me explain what I mean.

When you’re saving for retirement, you’re biggest advantage is this: compound interest. The earlier you start, the more money your savings can make for you. Even a year can make a difference in what you balance is when you decide to retire. You need to realize that every time you choose to forego the company 401K—it’s a quick decision with lasting implications.

When you’re living on debt, you’re biggest problem is this: interest. You see where I’m going here? The longer it takes you to pay off that debt, the more interest you’ll pay. That big screen tv was a great deal, until you add a couple hundred dollars in interest to the bill. The small things add up fast, and before you know it you could have a few thousand dollars in credit card debt with nothing substantial to show for it.

So they’re both important, and my advice is this: concentrate on both. You have to find money somewhere else in your budget, whether it’s by reducing your data plan or cutting the cable. Make yourself a priority. Determine what the minimum monthly payment is that you’re willing to accept for your future. That’s the most important bill you have every month. Pay it first.

I remember there were times when my budget seemed way too small for my life. I couldn’t imagine putting money back into savings, or making more than the minimum payments on my debt. We all face times like those, so remember this: you don’t have to face it alone. Talk to your spouse, your family, or your friends. Come into the credit union. Consider refinancing loans or consolidating debt. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Keeping your head in the sand isn’t going to help, and time just keeps on ticking.

As you near the end of a long career, it should be a time of celebration and excitement. You’ve worked hard for a long time, and you deserve an enjoyable retirement. But here’s the thing—the only person who can really give that to you is you. It’s time to get started.