Americans are expected to spend $474 billion this holiday season. But how can you keep your checkbook from staying out of the red?

The National Retail Federation says shoppers spent $41 billion in the four day Thanksgiving weekend alone. But keeping yourself out of debt this holiday season can be as easy as following a few simple steps.

Credit counselors say the most important thing to do is keep a budget. Before you do anything, you need to plan for your spending and prioritize things that you definitely want to have in your budget. This means adding up holiday expenses of gifts, meals, travel, cards, postage and other costs and then deciding where to cut back.

Another thing to keep in mind is to make a list of things you need to buy and pay in cash. This way, once the money is gone, tt's gone, and you won't have to worry about credit cards coming in the mail with high interest rates.

Counselor's also suggest staying away from credit cars completely.  Stores will suggest applying for credit cards, and offer incentives such as discounts when you apply.  But that can actually cost you more money in the long run if you don't pay the card off in time.

Your local bank is also here to help!  West Union Bank has a "Christmas Club."  You can join the club and request how much money you want taken out of your account monthly, and placed into a separate account.  Around November, you'll then be able to use that money to buy gifts for your loved ones.  What's good about this method is the fact that your account gains interest throughout the year.