As such, you wind up with the oddball outcome in which you could have a modest fine and suspension imposed upon you by FINRA but when you attempt to return to work, you learn that your willful misconduct rendered you a statutorily disqualified individual.

FORBES: Stockbroker Disqualified Amid Borrowing, Liens And Judgments

It might seem clever to reduce your wages to a very low amount (or eliminate them altogether), but this will come back to haunt you when the IRS gets a hold of your return.

FORBES: Social Security For The Self-Employed

"We will break down the barriers to work and ensure work pays but in return, we have the right to insist that when work is available you take that work and work hard to keep that job, " he told delegates.

BBC: Welfare reform will restore fairness, says Duncan Smith

With a diversified collection of bets on announced deals, you can make a steady but unspectacular return, peppered by the occasional big loss when a seemingly surefire deal falls apart.

FORBES: M&A for the Little Guy

Here's where dividends help: When a stock pays them, the quarterly payments may be small, but they give you a reasonable return while you wait for the long-term gains.

FORBES: When Patience Pays