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R.J. Weiss is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with over a decade of experience in financial planning, and founder of The Ways To Wealth.
Expert reviewer for BestColleges.com and has been quoted in publications like Business Insider, Yahoo, Mint, USA Today, CNET, the New York Times and Forbes.
Holds a B.A. in finance from Eastern Illinois University and completed the CFP® Certification curriculum program at The American College. Additionally, he has earned the Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Small Business Coverage Specialist (SBCS) designations.
R.J. Weiss is not just a financial planner but a trusted voice in the realm of financial content. At The Ways To Wealth, R.J. and his team are dedicated to publishing a wide range of content in the financial space, from fair and unbiased assessments of financial products and services to insightful articles, guides and resources. Their commitment to accuracy and relevance ensures that readers get the most up-to-date and reliable information.
R.J.'s unique approach to content creation is based on experience, research, and a deep understanding of the financial industry. He believes in the power of firsthand experience and combines this with extensive research and expert insights to provide valuable content to his readers.
Outside of his professional life, R.J. is an avid traveler, a husband, and a proud father of three. He resides just outside of Chicago, IL.
R.J. Weiss holds a B.A. in finance from Eastern Illinois University. He became a Certified Financial Planner® on December 10, 2010, after completing the CFP® Certification curriculum program at The American College. Further enhancing his credentials, R.J. has earned the Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Small Business Coverage Specialist (SBCS) designation.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
Choice IRA stands out for letting investors hold their own crypto keys, but past compliance problems, higher costs, and uncertainty after its acquisition make it a niche option rather than a top pick.
Free Monte Carlo retirement calculators can help stress-test a plan against market uncertainty, but they aren’t interchangeable. The right tool depends on whether you’re estimating a retirement date, testing withdrawals, or modeling real spending.
Fractional home investing through Arrived offers professional management and a low minimum, but returns have been modest and money is typically locked up for years. The value proposition leans more toward potential appreciation than income.
Monarch fits how I manage money: positive cash flow, many accounts, and a need for clarity over control. It’s less granular than YNAB, but far more efficient for ongoing financial monitoring.
Some grocery cash-back apps reward brand loyalty, others pay for any receipt, and a few work best online. Choosing the right mix can shave real money off grocery spending over time.
I used points and miles to take my family to Costa Rica, Kauai, Paris, and more — booking luxury resorts, long stays, and international flights that we never would’ve paid for in cash.
