WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- Thanksgiving has arrived, and the countdown to Black Friday is officially on.  Experts anticipate a holiday shopping frenzy, with millions ready to dive into this season's excitement.   “I’m thinking about possibly getting a TV,” said one shopper. “I’m going to get like a 50-inch TV, but I’m not sure yet.” According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), spending is expected to soar up to $989 billion this holiday season, a 3.5% increase from last year.  Prince George’s County-based group gives back in DC for Thanksgiving This year's Black Friday promises a variety of fantastic deals, with retailers cutting prices across the board—from electronics to fashion—to draw in customers.  Of the 183 million people set to shop this season, about two-thirds of shoppers are predicted to hit the stores on Friday alone, the NRF predicts.  For many families, Black Friday discounts are more than just deals—they're a lifeline in stretching budgets a little further during a competitive economy.  “Money-wise, we ain’t getting paid enough or anything like that. So Christmas is coming up and then New Year’s, so you need some type of deals during those days to be able to keep some money in our wallets,” another shopper told DC News Now.