R.J. Weiss is a Certified Financial Planner™ and the mastermind behind a personal finance blog,
The Ways to Wealth. His entire career has been about helping individuals — both novice savers and seasoned investors — make smarter financial decisions.
Our interview with him will give you a glimpse into the motivations behind his work, his approach to financial education, and his vision for the future of personal finance.
The inspiration behind The Ways to Wealth
Joy Wallet: What inspired you to start The Ways to Wealth?
As I started seeing the potential and traction these lists gained, the idea evolved: why not expand this into a comprehensive personal finance site?
My background is in financial services, primarily working with high-net-worth individuals. However, I noticed a significant gap in financial education for the middle class.
The idea then crystallized — I wanted to create an online platform to teach everyday people the same wealth-building principles I had learned throughout my career. The goal was to empower individuals with the knowledge to build wealth, regardless of their starting point.
Leveraging expertise
Joy Wallet: How has your background as a Certified Financial Planner™ influenced your content?
R.J.: I always view the content we create through the lens of my work, imagining that I'm sitting across the table from someone who has asked me a question. As a fiduciary, my responsibility is to provide honest, objective advice that serves their best interests, not mine.
This principle is central to writing and offering education on The Ways to Wealth. The core idea is to never endorse or speak positively about something unless it's advice I would genuinely give to my own friends or family members.
Common pitfalls
Joy Wallet: What is the most common financial mistake you see people making?
R.J.: The most common
financial mistake I see is when fixed costs take up too large a portion of someone's income. This leaves very little buffer for unexpected expenses.
When fixed costs are high, everything has to go perfectly to
break even or spend less than you earn.
In reality,
unexpected expenses always seem to pop up, creating a cycle in which people constantly hope that the next month will be better. This false hope can prevent them from addressing the underlying issue of having too little financial flexibility.
Joy Wallet: How do you stay updated with the latest financial trends and advice?
R.J.: Social media plays a big role, with Instagram being where I'm most active. Industry newsletters are also a valuable resource that helps me stay informed.
However, one of the most insightful ways I stay on top of trends is by paying attention to my readers' questions. When I start seeing the same questions pop up in my inbox, it clearly indicates emerging trends or shared concerns.
Starting out
Joy Wallet: What strategies do you recommend for someone just starting to save and invest?
R.J.: Automation is key. It's best to hide money from yourself because if it’s easily accessible, we tend to spend it. For those just starting with saving and investing, I recommend
automating as much as possible. This could mean setting up automatic contributions to a
401(k) or an
IRA. Once it's automated, don't overthink it.
A common misconception is that you need to be highly savvy when
investing to succeed. In reality, those who win are the ones who automate their savings, avoid overspending, and focus on protecting and growing their income. Investing is one of the few areas where the simplest strategy — like
investing in index funds — is actually the best. More effort doesn’t necessarily lead to better results. In fact, it often does more harm than good.
Balancing content
Joy Wallet: How do you balance between making content accessible to beginners and valuable to experienced investors?
R.J.: Since I’m a strong advocate of low-cost index funds, which are relevant for both beginners and experienced investors, the key is often how the message is delivered. While the core advice may be the same, the way it's presented makes all the difference. For beginners, I focus on clear, straightforward explanations, breaking down concepts into easily digestible parts.
For experienced investors, I might dive deeper into strategies or offer new perspectives on well-known ideas. You need to communicate the same fundamental principles creatively.
Passive income
Joy Wallet: What’s your favorite method for generating passive income?
R.J.: My favorite, and perhaps the most underrated method, is simple buy-and-hold investing in index funds. While it’s, in theory, an easy strategy, it does require some upfront effort to get started. You need to set up your accounts, automate contributions, and stick to the plan. But once you’re set up, the power of compound interest takes over, and it can be astonishing how quickly your investments grow over time.
Essential financial goals
Joy Wallet: What’s one financial goal you believe everyone should have?
R.J.: One financial goal everyone should have is to get out of non-
mortgage debt. It’s often underestimated how much the interest paid on debts can impact someone’s finances long-term. This interest can be damaging and prevent people from getting ahead financially.
While I don’t necessarily prioritize this goal above everything else in every situation — unlike some popular frameworks like the
Baby Steps — I do believe that living a life free of debt is a mindset people should adopt. Debt has become so normalized that even vacation loans, which are just personal loans in disguise, are being advertised now. But taking on debt is a commitment your future self has to fulfill, and it can hold you back from achieving true financial freedom.
The rewards of blogging
Joy Wallet: What are the most rewarding aspects of running The Ways to Wealth?
R.J.: Creating valuable information! I love exploring new topics and thinking about simplifying them so readers can easily get the big ideas. It’s a creative process that I genuinely enjoy, and I’m satisfied with knowing I’m helping people understand and improve their financial lives.
Advice for aspiring side hustlers
Joy Wallet: What advice do you have for someone looking to start a side hustle?
R.J.: My advice is simple — just start. The key to success is gaining first-hand experience, and you can only get that by taking action. Think of
side hustles as quick tests to see what works. The idea is to launch fast, learn from the results, and then apply that valuable feedback to your next attempt. If you keep testing and refining, you’ll eventually find success. But remember, none of this happens if you don’t take that first step.
Looking ahead
Joy Wallet: What are your long-term goals for The Ways to Wealth?
R.J.: My long-term goal is to expand The Ways to Wealth beyond just a website. This year, I’m particularly focused on growing our presence on
Instagram — I’m currently trying to post for 100 straight days, which has been fun and engaging.
The shift reflects our need to adapt to where people get their information. At the core, my passion remains the same: providing high-quality, valuable information. It’s just a matter of where I share it.
The future of finance
Joy Wallet: How do you think the financial landscape will change in the next decade?
R.J.: I believe the financial landscape will continue evolving rapidly and offer consumers more options than ever before. This growth in choices can be both exciting and overwhelming.
When I started my career, there was no such thing as
cryptocurrency or many of the fintech companies we see today. I expect to see even more innovation in the space, which is generally good for consumers.
However, this also makes financial education more critical than ever. As the options expand, so does the need for people to understand these new tools and make informed decisions.
Finding joy
Joy Wallet: What’s one thing that brings you the most joy in life?
R.J.: The combination of being in nature with the people I love brings me the most joy. There's something incredibly fulfilling about sharing beautiful, natural spaces with those who matter most to me.
