In the hectic holidays, it can be easy for people to spend more than they should.

Even in the recession, some shoppers will even send themselves into debt. According to an Associated Press-GfK poll, half of those polled say they're suffering at least some debt-related stress.

Cookie Truhar is looking for a bargain on Black Friday.

"You feel pressure to buy gifts for people when normally I wouldn't go out buying clothes and stuff," says Truhar.

It doesn't take much for that pressure to lead to overbuying and debt, says Cindy Williams, president of Cornerstone Insurance in Harrisonburg.

"If we know we're in financial trouble, and we continue to put ourselves in debt, it's going to do nothing for our health. And, it's just going to put more stress on the family, which is the last thing you want at Christmas," says Williams.

In the aforementioned poll, 22 percent of people say they're feeling debt-related stress "greatly" or "quite a bit."

"They say that's the number one cause of divorces, is financial stress," says Williams. "It's a cycle. And, it's not going to break until you break those spending habits. If you continue to spend and spend and spend, there is a reckoning day coming."

"I have a lot more to go, and I feel like I spent quite a bit," says Tracy Schaff, who is out for her first and last Black Friday.

She also says there's too much craziness. Schaff says she's tried to plan ahead to avoid stressing about money as much as possible.

"[I] just try to save it from month to month and build it up a little bit," says Schaff.

Williams encourages people to talk to someone soon if they experiencing debt or any kind of financial stress.

She says it doesn't necessarily have to be a professional. Sometimes a family member with common sense is the best adviser.