It's All About the Basis
When you reinvest dividends or capital gains in a mutual fund or ETF, each reinvested distribution increases this.
What is your adjusted cost basis?
Complete this famous jingle that's been stuck in America's head since 1984: 'The best part of waking up is ______ in your cup!'
What is Folgers?
Michael Kitces calls this designation 'THE certification for private wealth management.' Offered through Chicago Booth or Yale, it targets advisors serving clients with $5 million+ in assets who need expertise in hedge funds and private equity.
"What is CPWA?" (Certified Private Wealth Advisor)
This deep, wide kitchen sink style—popular in country kitchens—gets its name from the rural properties where it was originally used for washing everything from dishes to laundry to babies.
What is a farmhouse sink?
According to Glassdoor reviews, Edward Jones's primary client acquisition strategy involves doing this for 4+ hours a day—a technique last considered effective when milkmen still existed.
What is door knocking?
In community property states like California, when one spouse dies, the surviving spouse gets a step-up on BOTH halves of jointly held property—a benefit known by this alliterative name.
"What is the double step-up?" (accept: "What is full step-up?")
Folgers ads in the 1970s and 80s bragged that their coffee was grown in this elevated terrain—a phrase that became synonymous with the brand's quality claims.
What is mountain grown?
In 2011, this became one of only a handful of financial designations to earn ANSI accreditation. Wharton and Yale offer the coursework, which focuses on advanced portfolio construction for institutional clients.
"What is CIMA?" (Certified Investment Management Analyst)
Farmhouse sinks were originally made from cast iron or this white ceramic material—fired at extremely high temperatures to create a glossy, durable finish that's still popular in country-style kitchens today.
"What is fireclay?" (accept: "What is porcelain?")
In 2024, American Funds paid Edward Jones $124.9 million in revenue sharing—roughly 40% of the $315 million EJ collected from fund companies. One advisor blog calls this practice 'an organized' version of this crime.
What is a kickback?
This IRS rule disallows your capital loss if you buy the same or 'substantially identical' security within this many days before OR after the sale—creating a 61-day window of tax-loss harvesting danger.
What is 30 days?
For 21 years, this matronly Swedish neighbor character appeared in over 100 Folgers commercials, always ready with coffee advice for young couples. Carol Burnett and Johnny Carson both parodied her.
Who is Mrs. Olson?
The only designation specifically requiring a CFP or equivalent BEFORE you can even start, this American College credential prepares advisors to navigate ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and the Medicaid maze.
"What is ChSNC?" (Chartered Special Needs Consultant)
The exposed front panel on a farmhouse-style sink is called this—named after the garment a cook might wear to protect their clothes while working at the basin.
"What is an apron?" (accept: "What is an apron front?")
One financial blog notes: 'When someone comes in from Edward Jones, I automatically know they have these funds in their portfolio'—a fund family so synonymous with EJ, it's practically a uniform.
What is American Funds?
Unlike inherited assets, gifts during life get this less-favorable basis treatment, where the recipient inherits the donor's original purchase price—a fun surprise when they sell and realize the tax bill is yours to enjoy.
What is carryover basis?
Folgers was founded in 1850 in this California city, where teenage carpenter J.A. Folger arrived with his brothers hoping to strike it rich during the Gold Rush.
What is San Francisco?
This American College designation 'exploded onto the scene' in 2013, becoming the most popular retirement income credential. Its curriculum covers systematic withdrawals and annuity strategies.
"What is RICP?" (Retirement Income Certified Professional)
Unlike a drop-in sink that sits on top of the counter, this sink style is mounted beneath the countertop for a seamless look—making it easy to wipe crumbs directly into the basin.
What is an undermount sink?
Edward Jones has roughly 15,000 U.S. branches—nearly identical to the number of locations of this Seattle-based chain, though the coffee shop arguably offers better returns on your $5.
What is Starbucks?
This three-letter tax strategy lets employees with highly appreciated company stock in their 401(k) pay long-term capital gains rates on the growth instead of ordinary income—but requires a lump-sum distribution and a triggering event.
"What is NUA?" (Net Unrealized Appreciation)
In 2008, Folgers was acquired by this family-owned company famous for jams and jellies—proving that breakfast beverages and breakfast spreads go well together.
"What is J.M. Smucker?" (accept: "What is Smucker's?")
The NAEPC awards this 'graduate level specialization' only to planners who already hold credentials like CFP or CPA—AND who spend at least one-third of their time on estate work.
"What is AEP?" (Accredited Estate Planner)
In 1939, after burning his hands on a two-handle faucet, this inventor created the single-handle faucet that controls hot and cold water in one turn—his last name is now a major plumbing brand.
"Who is Moen?" (accept: "Who is Al Moen?")
In 2004, regulators found Edward Jones ran sales contests awarding trips to advisors who sold 'Preferred Funds'—with some brokers complaining that 'doing the right thing for the client' penalized their chance to win these tropical getaways.
What are sales contest trips?