Black Friday boom or bust?

(FOX) - While people are getting ready to feast on turkey and apple pie. Malls and stores are getting ready for Black Friday. So what can stores expect this shopping season?
Well, it depends on who you ask.

The new survey released by the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association says Americans plan on spending slightly more this holiday season than last year.

The survey says only 43 percent of consumers intend to slash their holiday spending budgets, compared to 55 percent last year.

"Based on our survey we forecast holiday spending this year will show considerable improvement to last year's dismal results but will still be quite weak compared to the earlier part of this decade," said Chief Economist Bill Hampel from Credit Union National Association.

The survey projects holiday spending this year will rise somewhere between sero to three-percent. But other groups are predicting a somewhat different outcome.

The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group expects total sales for November and December to drop by one percent from last year and said it expects shoppers to spend less this year.  Despite the mixed results Stephen Brobeck says there are ways for folks on a budget to save this holiday season.

"Make a list of what you plan to purchase and stick to that list . Comparison shop for these purchases to try to pay the lowest price. Try to avoid relying on credit card debt and making the purchases. And finally in early january consider starting to save small amounts regularly to cover next year's holiday expenditures," said Stephen Brobeck from Consumer Federation of America.

One thing these groups agree on. Retailers will likely roll-out more deals, trying to get shoppers into the spending spirit.