(Radio Iowa) – Those who find themselves in debt or experiencing financial stress might feel a little more pressure with all the talk of Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping season. I-S-U Extension’s Carol Ehlers says holiday spending is about managing and being conscious about what you are spending. “And we do that best when we create that budget, make a list, and use cash,” she says. The National Retail Federation expects holiday spending to grow by up to three-and-a-half percent this year.

Ehlers says you can still participate in holiday giving and the spirit of the season. “The joy of being able to find something that’s special for a friend or a family member that’s very important too. But how important it is to be mindful of what we are spending.”

TransUnion’s Holiday Shopping Report shows more than half of Americans plan on spending the same amount as last year, with about 40 percent spending less.