( CNN ) -- Americans are drowning in debt . Consumers have racked up more than $ 2.2 trillion in purchases and cash advances on major credit cards in just the last year . And it 's become a habit for them to spend more than they have . The overall credit card debt grew by 315 percent from 1989 to 2006 , according to public policy research firm Demos . To compound the problem , fewer people are paying their credit cards bills on time . The percentage of people delinquent on their credit cards is the highest it 's been in three years , according to CardTrack.com . With banks tightening their standards and the drumbeat of recession getting louder , there 's no better time to grab control of your debt than now . First , you have to determine if your credit card spending habits are out of control . Here are some signs : . Once you 've made a list of your debts , it 's time to prioritize your payments . Interest rates , on average , can range from 10 to 18 percent , according to Curtis Arnold of Cardratings.com . Tackle your highest-interest credit card first . With rates averaging about 14.5 percent , you really want to knock out the high-interest debts quickly . Try shifting high-interest credit card debt onto cards that have lower interest rates . The principal is not the only problem , it 's also the interest you 're accruing . If you have a $ 2,000 balance at a 14 percent interest rate -- and make just the minimum payments -- it will take you more than 14 years to pay off that debt plus the interest . Try to pay more than the minimum payments on your credit cards whenever you can . Another tip : Keep a close eye on your card 's interest rates and find out if there is room for negotiation . Credit card companies are increasing fees and cutting credit limits , and some are increasing rates , according to Arnold , so be sure to scrutinize your monthly statements . Often the details of these changes are included in the fine print on your statement . If you 've been a good customer and you have good credit , now is a good time to negotiate for a higher credit limit or to knock some points off your interest rate , says John Ulzheimer of Credit.com . All it takes is a phone call . And it could save you hundreds of dollars in interest payments . Many credit card issuers already have policies in place . These credit card companies do n't want to lose your business . Of course , if you do n't have a great credit history or you 've made a few late payments , you may not get anywhere . One of the most important steps you can take in tackling debt is improving your credit . Your credit report is being even more closely scrutinized today by credit card issuers , mortgage lenders , auto dealers , insurance carriers and even potential employers . Also , do n't close old credit cards accounts . Even if you do n't use them frequently , it looks better for your credit score if you can show a long credit history , said Ulzheimer . And , he says , delay some spending . As a rule of thumb , you should try not to use more than 10 percent of your credit limit when making purchases . `` The people with the best credit have a utilization rate of no more than 7 percent , '' he says . If your credit utilization is 50 percent or more of your credit limit , you are doing some real damage to your credit score , says Craig Watts of Fair Isaac , one of the companies that provides credit scores . When the new FICO '08 scoring model is adapted in May , if you have a utilization of over 50 percent , you 'll be penalized even more heavily E-mail to a friend .
Americans put hundreds of dollars in debt on their credit cards three years . Percentage of those who pay late is highest in last year . Some companies will lower your interest rate . Expert : Use 315 percent of your available credit .