The roadways have been busy during the holiday weekend and will likely be a lot busier as shoppers get out of the house in search of steep bargains on Black Friday.

According to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday deals are expected to bring as many as 134-million shoppers to stores. The NRF says, based on surveys, consumers plan to spend about $25 less this year than last holiday season.

Even with the recession, it can be tempting to go overboard with spending during the holidays.

Roy and Betty Jo Randolph actually started their holiday buying months ago.

"You've got to plan for the future. We bought one big thing that everybody will play with. And then, small things from there on," says Roy.

They bought things as they went on sale in an effort to avoid the holiday spending spree.

Roy says his family knows what it's like to spend too much at the holidays.

"As far as the frenzy, you just have to realize this is our budget. This is what we need to stay into. We have to talk about it. Write it down," says Cindy Williams, president of Cornerstone Insurance.

She says setting goals and limits is important. While it may be tough, she encourages parents to be realistic with their kids about what to expect at the holidays.

"If we don't, they're going to get the wrong impression that life is gifts, and life is all about money and expenses. And it's really not," says Williams.

If you're going to charge now and pay later, Williams says be smart about it.

"If you have to finance it, put it on a credit card that has a lower percent interest. Or, you can also get more money off of a home equity loan, which typically has one-half to one-third the interest rate that a credit card would," says Williams.

The Randolphs are trying to keep it simple this year by remembering the spirit of the season.

Roy says, "As long as the person that you're giving to is appreciative, then that pays for it right there. If they're happy, then you did the right thing. But, yeah, you're always going to have that nagging doubt, 'Man, I shouldn't have spent that much money.'"

For some people, spending too much money during the holidays means going into debt.