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Motley Fool Money Articles

Learn more about applying the principles of money management to help stay in control of your finances.
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Recent Articles

An upward trending graph with a small hourglass below it.
Aug. 18, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

30-Year T Bonds Jumped to 5.3%. Here's How to Buy Them Now

Long-term government bonds are paying more than they have in 19 years. Here's how to lock in a fixed rate -- the easy way and the direct way.
Young woman listening to podcast on her headphones while drinking coffee.
Aug. 18, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Gen Z Has the Lowest Credit Card Debt of Any Working Generation. Here's Why

Low credit limits, a preference for debit, and a shift to buy now, pay later all help explain why younger Americans carry less card debt.
An envelope with Roth IRA written on it and $100 bills falling out.
Aug. 18, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's Why My Roth IRA Doubles as a Backup Emergency Fund

Contributions to a Roth retirement account can usually be withdrawn penalty-free, making it a surprisingly flexible savings tool.
A young man in a suit using an outdoor ATM.
Aug. 14, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Can You Withdraw $5,000 From an ATM? Here's What Banks Actually Allow

Daily ATM limits and per-transaction caps decide how much cash you can pull in one trip, and both vary by bank and account type.
A couple withdraws money from an ATM machine.
Aug. 11, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts With a Debit Card

Most high-yield savings accounts skip the debit card. See which accounts pay a top rate and still let you pull cash when you need it.
A young adult calculates their personal finances at the kitchen table using a tablet.
Aug. 9, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How Much $10,000 Would Earn in a High-Yield Savings Account vs. a CD Right Now

Top savings accounts and CDs pay nearly the same on $10,000 right now, so there's little reason to lock your cash away in a CD.
A couple counts dollar bills together at home.
Aug. 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Much Should You Have in an Emergency Fund? Here's the Honest Answer by Income Level

Your emergency fund target is three to six months of expenses. See how much that is at every income level, plus when to aim low and when to save more.
Paperwork titled "IRA" next to pen, calculator, cash.
July 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Should You Roll Over Your 401(k) to an IRA?

Rolling a 401(k) into an IRA can mean lower fees and more investment choices, but a 401(k) offers protections worth weighing first.
Sunlit facade of an archaic bank edifice.
July 27, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The 3 Most Trusted Banks for Your Savings in 2026, Ranked

How the most trusted banks protect your savings with FDIC insurance, strong rates, and no monthly fees, plus how to pick the right one.
Person makes calculations and writes them in a notebooks while a piggy bank sits nearby.
July 26, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Much Interest Would $10,000 Earn in a High-Yield Savings Account This Year?

In a high-yield savings account paying around 4.00% APY, $10,000 earns about $400 a year, while a typical 0.01% account earns close to $1.
A young man in a suit using an outdoor ATM.
July 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Using a Debit Card in These 3 Places Could Be a Big Mistake

Booking travel, making big purchases, and using unknown card readers each expose debit card users to risks a credit card helps avoid.
Friends sitting outdoors eating sub sandwiches.
July 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Where to Buy Jersey Mike's IPO: 3 Best Brokers for JMKE Access

Jersey Mike's goes public July 30 on the NYSE under ticker JMKE. Here are three brokers where retail investors can register interest first.
Stacks of coins in varying heights with a ladder leaning against the tallest one.
July 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How to Build a CD Ladder With $10,000 (and What You'd Earn Each Month)

Building a CD ladder means choosing terms, comparing rates, and planning each maturity. Here is a simple way to do it with $10,000.
young man holding cellphone to his ear and holding his hand to his forehead like he made a mistake
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Nearly Half of Americans Make This Expensive Money Mistake Every Month

A low-interest savings account can cost you hundreds a year in interest you'll never notice missing. Here's how the loss adds up and how to fix it.
Financial advisor discusses credit scores with a client.
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

4 Reasons to Get Your Credit Score Above 800

An 800 credit score does more than look good. It cuts borrowing costs across loans and insurance, and gives your score room to breathe.
Woman sitting at table with calculator and documents spread out, holding documents in one hand and clutching her head with the other
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Situations Where a High-Yield Savings Account is a Bad Idea

Credit card debt, long-term investing, and frequent transfers are three cases where a high-yield savings account is the wrong place for your money.
A gold bull and bear figurines on stock market papers.
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Best Brokers for Investing in the S&P 500

Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and SoFi® lead the pack for S&P 500 investors, with low fees, no commissions, and easy index fund access.
Credit report that reads 765 on a desk where someone is typing on a calculator and their holding glasses
July 20, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

You'll Probably Never Hit 850. Here's the Credit Score That Actually Gets You the Best Rates

The best loan terms and credit perks kick in around a credit score of 780, not a perfect 850. Here's the number to aim for and how to reach it.
A chalkboard resting on a desk with a piggy bank and the words Credit Score drawn on it.
July 19, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

How to Pick the Right Balance Transfer Card if You Have Less-Than-Perfect Credit

You can still get a balance transfer card with fair credit, but options are limited. Here's how to pick the right one and what to watch for.
Man holding infant while using laptop and having a bowl of cereal and glass of milk.
July 15, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is a Trump Account Worth It if Your Child Won't Get the Free $1,000?

Weighing a Trump Account's tax-advantaged head start against the flexibility of other custodial accounts for kids who miss the seed deposit.
smiling young man holding a coffee mug and handing cash to a waiter
July 13, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is Cash Safer Than a Card?

A credit card is usually safer than cash for everyday spending because of fraud protection. Cash's only real edge is privacy.
Blocks that spell out FED on top of a hundred dollar bill.
July 12, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

What Happens to Your HYSA Rate When the Fed Cuts Rates?

When the Fed cuts rates, your savings APY usually falls too, but not instantly and not at every bank. Here's how the two are connected.
Person outdoors celebrating with fist raised while holding cellphone.
July 10, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Here's What Happens When You Pay Down $5,000 in Credit Card Debt at Once -- and What to Do Next

Just paid off $5,000 in credit card debt? Learn whether to close your old card, how long your score takes to update, and what to do with your money next.
Blocks spelling FED with another block featuring an up arrow and a down arrow being turned.
July 9, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Will the Fed Cut Rates in July 2026? Here's What the Markets Say

A Fed rate cut isn't happening in July 2026. Here's why a hike is on the table instead, and what it means for your savings and debt.
A couple sitting on the floor of their living room organizing paperwork.
July 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Can You Do a Balance Transfer More Than Once?

Yes, you can do a balance transfer more than once. But qualifying, transfer fees, and your credit limits all shape whether multiple balance transfers are worth it.