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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.
One signup bonus can fund an international trip, but smart spenders keep earning through bonus categories and shopping portals. Add business cards to the mix if you freelance or side hustle, and points pile up even faster.
The difference between mediocre and incredible hotel redemptions comes down to one question: are you getting more than a penny per point? Transfer to the right hotel program and that math changes completely in your favor.
Travel hacking won't wreck your credit if you follow basic rules: pay balances in full, space out applications, and keep utilization low. Done right, opening travel cards can actually improve your score by increasing available credit and building payment history.
The best travel card isn't the one with the biggest bonus—it's the one you'll still want in three years. Think about your typical spending patterns, where you want to go, and whether you're ready to learn transfer partners or prefer simpler redemptions through travel portals.
The Chase Trifecta turns everyday spending into high-value travel by pairing cards that earn bonus points with premium cards that multiply redemption values. Master transfers and partner bookings to stretch points furthest.
Turn everyday spending into travel by earning credit card points worth more than cash back when redeemed properly. Master signup bonuses, optimize spending categories, and transfer points to airline or hotel partners for outsized value.
