Borrowers who default on student loans risk losing professional licenses or driver's licenses in 20 states. Supporters of the law say borrowers somehow find money when threatened with the loss of a license, but critics say the law is too harsh and cuts off people's ability to fulfill an obligation.

Failing to express gratitude for an employee's hard work can prove costly, as employees who don't feel appreciated may leave. "If you have smart, creative, hardworking employees in your company, or contractors in your stable, you can bet they have plenty of other offers to work for someone else," writes Minda Zetlin.

More people qualify for free or low-cost Affordable Care Act health insurance this year, a factor that could boost enrollment. Analysts say the phenomenon is due to President Donald Trump's decision to end cost-sharing payments to insurers, which caused premiums to go up for people with modest incomes but also increased the amount of government subsidies available to low-income people.

Laws banning employers from asking prospective employees about their salary history are spreading, or in some cases, the policy is being voluntarily adopted at companies. The laws are intended to help close the gender pay gap, but most employers in a recent survey by Korn Ferry said the measures would not significantly decrease any existing pay differential.