In making these choices, keep in mind that in recent years the lines between different types of practitioners -- planners, brokers, insurance salespeople and accountants -- have blurred, as each has encroached on the other's turf. This is only natural in an era in which bankers have morphed into financial-services salespeople and financial-services concerns into mortgage brokers. Yet, even if you're willing to hire hybrids, say a certified public accountant who will also act as your financial planner, it's important to evaluate them separately on each discipline. After all, they're probably charging separately for each type of service.

Here, then, are some of the basic things to bear in mind when seeking to hire professionals to handle your financial planning, stock trading, insurance coverage and tax returns.

For a quick overview, click on "Top 10 things to know" at the upper left. Or work your way through "The details" sections for more information on the topics in this lesson (calculators and other interactive features are marked with a symbol). The "Glossary" section provides an online dictionary of important terms. And "Take the test" is a quiz that checks what you've learned and offers suggestions for further study.