Nearly 150,000 people in San Francisco live with the threat of hunger. The San Francisco Food Bank distributes meals to those in needs and acts as a food pantry for other non-profits who work with local hungry people.

97.2% of money donated to the Food Bank is used for giving food, according to Charity Navigator. Administrative expenses are 0.6%, and fund raising is only 2%.

Join us in giving food for the holidays.

"Talking is easy; communication, which means an exchange or communion with another, requires greater skill," says author Sarah Fenson.

She continues, "... interacting with fearful, angry, or frustrated people can be even more difficult, because we're less skillful when caught up in such emotions." And, clients, coworkers, and casual acquaintances are all more likely to be emotional at this time of year with the holiday pressures.

You want to lose control of your sale call and sound insincere at the same time?

If you do, start off by asking, "How are you?" suggests Wendy Weiss. She gives 2 more phrases to use to kill your call, too.

Don't forget to visit our news page for regularly updated articles for your financial success. Today the news page talks about:

• Top ten "to-do" list of smart 2007 year-end tax moves
• The flurry of Federal tax legislation just passed
• 2008 standard mileage rates