Split-adjusted

When you see a “split-adjusted” stock price, that means it’s been modified to reflect any stock splits that have occurred. Remember that a regular stock split will increase your number of shares but will also reduce the stock price proportionately, leaving your total investment valued the same. Splits are mostly an accounting exercise, not a sudden windfall.

Consider Microsoft, which was recently trading at a stock price near $420. That may seem like a big number, but it would be much bigger had Microsoft not split its stock nine times since it debuted on the market in 1986. If you had started with a single share, it would have been split 2-for-1 seven times and 3-for-2 twice, leaving you with 288 shares now. But if the stock price had never dropped with each split, that one share would be worth more than $120,000 today.

Most historical stock prices you run across are split-adjusted (if there have been any splits). If you look up a company’s historical stock prices, you may see some very low old prices. Those will have been adjusted to reflect splits and dividends, permitting us to see the stock’s real change in value over time.

Q. If I open an account online with a brokerage, how do I get money into it so that I can buy stocks? — W.B., Swampscott, Massachusetts

A.

If the brokerage has brick-and-mortar locations, you could walk into a branch with cash or a check. You can also deposit money electronically, such as via direct deposit, a wire or an electronic transfer

from your bank account.

Sometimes you need a pro

If you hem your own pants instead of taking them to a sewing professional, that’s a fine money-saving move. You might do your own lawn care, or even tackle fixing a leaky faucet. But sometimes — such as when you need surgery or a new transmission — you need to hire a pro. It’s the same with your finances: Unless you’ve really read up on money management and know your stuff, you’d do well to consider consulting a financial adviser at certain points in your life.

For example, if you’re getting married, you and your partner need to discuss how you’ll manage your household finances and how you’ll work toward common goals. You’ll need to decide whether to file your taxes jointly or individually, and whether one of you will be added to the other’s health insurance plan. A financial pro can work through these issues with you.

A financial pro can help if you’re getting divorced, too, perhaps helping you identify smart moves to make now and later and advising on tax matters. (For instance — can you file taxes jointly in the current year, and should you?)

If you have kids, you’ll want to consider what kinds of savings accounts to set up for their future needs, such as college — will a 529 plan, an education savings account or something else serve you best? (It’s also generally smart to get life insurance when kids come along.)

When you buy or sell a home, a pro could help you save many thousands of dollars via some smart tax moves, or maybe by steering you to the kind of mortgage that’s best for you.

Financial advisers can be helpful and can save you money in many other situations: Perhaps you inherit money, you need an estate plan or you’re considering buying a complex financial product such as an annuity or long-term care insurance.

Friends or relatives might steer you to a good adviser.