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The countdown has begun.

With the clock ticking, Lisa Lee Freeman, shopping and consumer expert, ventured to New York City's Herald Square to find out how people are doing with their holiday shopping.

"I'm done. I'm done and I'm wrapped!"someone exclaimed.

Conversely, some have barely scraped the surface. "I've barely started," said another.

It was roughly an even split between people who have and have not signed up for store credit cards. Those who signed up did so for the added discounts and deals, while those who refrained did so to avoid the interest rates.