Credit: AP

It’s been talked about all year long: the Mayan calendar revealing an end to a current era on Earth. But there leading up to Friday, there were many different ideas about what December 21st may hold.

Some are preparing for what they believe to be doomsday, and some just believe it’s a misinterpretation of the Mayan calendar.

Steve Baker owners a Metaphysical Shop downtown. He's studied the Mayan calendar and had been looking forward to the 21st--but not for the reason you might think.

Others have a more scientific approach. Minette Church is an anthropology professor at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. She takes more of a scientific perspective to the end of the Mayan calendar.

“I believe that we, as a Western society, have turned it into something it’s not...turned it into an apocalyptic type thing...the fact is, it's just the end of an era."

Studies have shown that in anticipation of the end of the world, people are maxing out their credit cards, and casinos are having “end of the world” jackpots.

Either way you believe, scientists believe, you should still be prepared in case the world does not end.

"Have fun maxing out those cards, but prepare to wake up the next day having to deal with that debt," Church said.