Jake FitzGerald

Editorial Strategist |

Expertise

Credit cards, bank accounts, brokerages

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 480 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 06-23-2026

Summary

Jake FitzGerald is a full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, leading content production and distribution while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products. He has more than a decade of experience editing and shaping financial content to give readers clear, trustworthy money advice. His work focuses on delivering practical insights that empower people to make smarter financial decisions. Off the clock, he’s a fan of college football tailgates and still loyal to his favorite putter -- despite what his short game suggests.

Jake's Recent Articles

• Why I'd Never Put a Large Purchase on a Debit Card -- Even With the Money in the Bank
  Apr 15, 2026
  A debit card puts your real cash at risk with less legal protection than a credit card.
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• Here's What Happens When You Cancel a Credit Card With a $10,000 Limit
  Apr 14, 2026
  Canceling a credit card with a $10,000 limit can raise your utilization ratio and ding your score. Here's exactly what happens and what to do …
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• Your Emergency Savings Fund Is Probably Losing Money. Here's How to Fix It
  Apr 14, 2026
  The national savings rate is 0.39%, but top high-yield accounts pay over 4.00%. If your emergency fund is at a big bank, this is for …
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• Here's What Happens to a Joint Credit Card When a Couple Separates
  Apr 13, 2026
  A divorce decree doesn't mean anything to your credit card issuer. Here's what actually happens to joint cards when a couple separates, and what to …
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• Here's Why $10,000 of Credit Card Debt Can Feel Impossible to Pay Off
  Apr 13, 2026
  On a $10,000 credit card balance, your first minimum payment is $200 -- and $175 of it is interest. Here's why the math is so …
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• The 5 Financial Conversations Most Couples Avoid Until It's Too Late
  Apr 12, 2026
  Money is the most common source of conflict in relationships, and most couples avoid the conversations that would actually help. Here are the five worth …
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• The Subtle Ways People Signal Wealth Without Talking About Money
  Apr 11, 2026
  The wealthiest people in the room are rarely the ones who seem like it. Here's what they're actually signaling and how they're doing it without …
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• Here's What Happens When You Use a Debit Card for a Hotel Deposit
  Apr 11, 2026
  Hotels place a hold on your card at check-in, and with a debit card, that's real money out of your account. Here's what to expect …
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• The Credit Card Strategy That Feels Illegal (but Isn't)
  Apr 11, 2026
  If you and your partner are sharing one credit card, you're leaving sign-up bonuses on the table. Here's the strategy more couples should be using.
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• Here's What Happens When You Pay Your Taxes With a Credit Card
  Apr 10, 2026
  You can pay your federal taxes with a credit card, but there's a processing fee, and whether it's worth it depends entirely on your card …
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• Here's What to Expect When You Apply for Your First Credit Card
  Apr 9, 2026
  First-time credit card applicants often don't know what they're walking into. Here's what happens when you apply, and what to do if you get denied.
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• Should You Put Money in CDs or Savings in April 2026?
  Apr 8, 2026
  CD rates are hovering around 4.00% APY. So are high-yield savings accounts. Here's which one makes more sense for your money in April 2026.
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• Should You Tell Your Friends How Much Money You Make?
  Apr 7, 2026
  Talking about money with friends feels taboo. It probably shouldn't.
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• Put $25,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account and Here's What Happens
  Apr 5, 2026
  The math is straightforward, and keeping your savings in the wrong account is likely costing you thousands.
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• Here's How Long It Takes to Pay Off $5,000 Making Only Minimum Payments
  Apr 4, 2026
  The answer is a lot longer, and a lot more expensive, than most people expect.
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• Here's What Happens to Your Subscriptions After You Die
  Apr 4, 2026
  Your Netflix doesn't know you died. Neither does Spotify. Here's what actually happens -- and what to do about it.
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• 5 Little-Known Things Your Credit Card Company Reports to the Bureaus Every Month
  Apr 4, 2026
  Most people know their payment history matters. Here's what else goes into that monthly report -- and how to use it.
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• Here's the Difference Between Tax Credits and Tax Deductions
  Apr 3, 2026
  Tax credits and deductions both lower your tax bill, but they work very differently. Here's what you need to know.
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• The 5 Laziest Ways to Be Good With Money
  Apr 3, 2026
  Being good with money doesn't have to be complicated. Here are the easiest high-impact moves you can make.
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• Here's How to Talk to Your Parents About Their Retirement Savings
  Apr 3, 2026
  Talking to your parents about money is awkward. Here's how to have the conversation without making it worse.
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• Why Banks Are Closing Branches Across the Country
  Apr 3, 2026
  Banks have closed thousands of branches in the last decade. Here's what's driving it and what it means for you.
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• Here's Why People With Good Incomes Still Carry Credit Card Debt
  Apr 3, 2026
  High incomes don't make credit card debt impossible. Here's why smart people carry balances, and what actually gets them out.
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• Here's How Banks Make Money Off Your Cash (in Plain English)
  Apr 2, 2026
  Most banks pay you almost nothing on your savings. Here's exactly why, and what you can do about it.
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• Here's What Happens When Your Debit Card Gets Skimmed at a Gas Station
  Mar 31, 2026
  What happens when your debit card gets skimmed? Your money's at risk. Here's what to do immediately.
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• Paying My Credit Card Bill Weekly Keeps My Finances Under Control
  Mar 31, 2026
  Paying your credit card bill weekly keeps your utilization low, catches issues early, and creates a spending feedback loop monthly payments don't.
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