Holiday II: Financing the Holidays 2006 Feature Releases.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The following releases focus on the topic Holiday II: Financing the Holidays:

ALL TIME-OFFS ARE IN EASTERN TIME

PROVO, Utah--Unwrapping the Secret to Talking About Holiday Finances (11/15/2006 - 03:24 PM, SOURCE: VitalSmarts)

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.--Follow These Online Auction Buying Tips to Find Holiday Deals (And Avoid Getting Ripped Off) (11/24/2006 - 10:00 AM, SOURCE: PropertyRoom.com)

AVAILABLE EXPERTS

The following knowledgeable industry leaders and scholars from Business Wire's ExpertSource database are available to discuss topics relating to Holiday II: Financing the Holidays:

-- Mrs. Patti Brennan, of Key Financial, Inc., is a certified financial planner who has also received the CFS designation, recognizing her as a Certified Fund Specialist. This program differentiates a financial planner by recognizing their expertise in the area of Modern Portfolio Theory, Asset Management and the art of selecting Mutual Funds. This complements her specialties in Retirement and Estate Planning by helping people to receive reliable streams of cash flow during retirement. She also helps clients determine ways to pass assets to children and grandchildren in a way that they want to be remembered, and in the most tax efficient manner possible. Mrs. Brennan is not just a number cruncher. Known for her ability to see the impact of the "little details" on the big picture, Mrs. Brennan is called upon frequently by her peers and is a widely recognized as someone who helps people get what they want in their life. She has been recognized in Who's Who for Executives and Professionals and Who's Who for Entrepreneurs. She is active in the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and is a member of MDRT (Top of the Table, Court of the Table). Mrs. Brennan has been quoted extensively in the media, including CNBC, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Investment News, Mutual Funds Magazine, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She was also named Business Woman of the Year in 2001 by the Business Advisory Council, Washington, DC. She frequently gives speeches and seminars on financial planning and can communicate complex financial concepts in simple, understandable, and meaningful terms. PR Contact: Benjamin Lewis, 301-963-7555, [e-mail]

-- Author of two books in the award-winning "Yes, You Can..." series by Stowers Innovations, Inc., Sam Goller is a knowledgeable source on personal finance. His first book, "Yes, You Can...Afford to Raise a Family," is the winner of a Benjamin Franklin Gold Parenting Award. "Yes, You Can...Afford to Raise a Family" is an innovative resource that helps parents create a healthy family lifestyle in today's environment of mounting consumerism. Sam's second book, "Yes, You Can...Achieve Financial Harmony," is a newlywed's guide to finances. Filled with practical "MatriMoney Tips" and real life "Loving Moments," the book tackles financial topics including setting up a budget, buying a first home and affording a family. Sam is also the spokesperson for Achieve Financial Independence Week(TM), which occurs annually during the third week of October. Achieve Financial Independence Week is dedicated to helping people improve their financial position so they can enjoy a better life. Inspired by the proven philosophies and practices of James E. Stowers, self-made billionaire and founder of American Century Investments, Inc., the week includes strategies and concepts for people at every life stage - from children to newlyweds to retirees. Sam has worked in the financial services industry for 16 years and can serve as a source for budgeting and financial basics, raising a family on a budget, aligning monetary beliefs and goals in marriage and relying on yourself for your financial needs. PR Contact: Tricia Jaworski, 913-660-9659, [e-mail]

-- Joseph Grenny, coauthor of the national bestseller Crucial Conversations (McGraw-Hill), says people fear budget conversations because they feel ill-equipped to hold these sensitive discussions. "If not approached skillfully, criticism of spending habits can come off as a personal attack," says Grenny. "People will become particularly defensive when their intentions are to please others with gifts and someone tells them they're out of control. The problem is that most don't know how to hold these conversations with the offender without damaging the relationship or acting like a Scrooge."

Grenny says if people apply a few simple skills for holding these crucial conversations, the discussion will be more pleasant and will result in a better outcome. He suggests the following tips for discussing holiday spending:

* Talk early. Don't wait until your spouse springs for a Harley to talk about limits. Find a time to talk early about how you'll deal with this year's holiday spending.

* Solve the right problem. Many couples don't reach resolution because they discuss the wrong problem. For example, if you discover your loved one has rented storage units in neighboring states stuffed with hidden binge gifts, the issue now is trust, not spending.

* Communicate with love and respect. The most important key to solving problems with loved ones is to ensure they know that you respect and love them. When they know you support and respect them, their defenses drop and they begin to listen.

* Be willing to be wrong. Approach the conversation with an open mind. For example, it could be that the source of your conflict is not a real budget limitation, but that you don't value holiday gift giving to the same degree as your partner.

* Hold each other accountable. Once you reach an agreement, find a way to routinely keep track of spending.

801-724-6272, [e-mail], PR Contact: Mary Dondiego, 801-724-6323, [e-mail]

Registered journalists can submit queries to the ExpertSource staff and/or search for more experts in this and various other topics by going to www.businesswire.com and logging in with your email address and PressPass password. If you are not registered, you may do so at www.businesswire.com. For more information or assistance with ExpertSource, please contact Stacey Seigler, ExpertSource Coordinator/Business Wire at 312/223-1037, [e-mail].

The following are upcoming Features Package release dates:
November 5 - Holiday III
November 7 - Back-to-School III
November 12 - National Cancer Prevention Month
November 14 - Family IV
November 19 - New Year's Resolutions

Questions? Contact Business Wire's Media Relations team at [e-mail]