Frugality: Once you establish yourself as a dividend payer, you will generally take the trouble to maintain the dividend.

FORBES: Dear Congress, When You Jump Off the Cliff, Remember to Save the Dividend

"Everybody who is carrying around a cell phone has the ability to take a picture of you behaving badly, getting in trouble, " Thompson said.

CNN: Can celebs have the privacy Jodie Foster calls for?

Your plan might cover the ER visit from a car accident, but if you become permanently disabled, and need to take several prescriptions and regularly see doctors, you are in trouble.

FORBES: How to Stay Employed in the Jobless Economy

Next time you hear a CEO dismiss a negative research report, take the trouble to investigate whether the analyst really did either display bias or make a rookie error.

FORBES: Alleged Rigging Of Presidential Preference Polls Yields Useful Warning To Investors

Executives take note: When you begin to believe your own spin, you're in trouble.

FORBES: The Enron Trial