In your life, there's probably a difficult financial conversation that you've been meaning to have with a family member but haven't gotten around to. Maybe it's talking with your parents about their retirement finances or discussing long-term financial goals with your spouse.

Well, do it this holiday season, when you're face to face with family members and likely have time off from work. "These discussions require more time and energy than you have at the end of a hard day at the office," says Steve Bell, a financial planner in Livermore, Calif. "If you don't do it now, when will you?"