Jake FitzGerald

Editorial Strategist |

Expertise

Credit cards, bank accounts, brokerages

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 565 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 04-28-2026

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

• If You're 50 With Less Than $200,000 Saved, Here's What to Do Next
  Feb 28, 2026
  Turning 50 with under $200,000 saved isn't ideal, but here's how to reset your retirement plan while you still have time.
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• If You're 40 Making $100,000, Here's Your Retirement Savings Target
  Feb 28, 2026
  If you're 40 and earning $100,000, here's a simple retirement savings benchmark and how to catch up if you're behind.
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• Do I Need a Financial Advisor?
  Feb 27, 2026
  Do you need a financial advisor? Learn what advisors actually do, who benefits most, and when hiring one is worth the cost.
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• How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
  Feb 27, 2026
  How much does a financial advisor cost? See typical fees, common pricing models, and how much advice really costs over time.
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• The Single Best Strategy for Making Money With CDs in 2026
  Feb 27, 2026
  CD rates are still elevated in 2026. Here's the simplest strategy to lock in yield without getting stuck if rates fall.
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• How Much Money Should You Keep in Your Checking Account? Here's the Sweet Spot
  Feb 27, 2026
  A lot of people keep too much cash in their checking account. Here's the simple rule of thumb that protects you from overdrafts without costing …
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• I'm Slowly Moving Money Out of My High-Yield Savings Account. Here's Why.
  Feb 27, 2026
  High-yield savings rates won't stay high forever. Here's why I'm starting to lock some of mine into CDs.
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• Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026
  Feb 26, 2026
  Most people think upper class means ultra-wealthy. The data tells a more grounded story.
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• Need to Withdraw $10,000+ in Cash? The Government Will Know About It
  Feb 25, 2026
  Withdrawing $10,000 or more in cash can trigger a federal report. Here's what actually happens and what doesn't.
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• Here's How Opening a High-Yield Savings Account Can Make You Hundreds of Dollars a Year
  Feb 25, 2026
  Big banks still pay close to nothing on savings. A high-yield account can quietly earn you hundreds more every year.
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• Here's What Happens When You Pay for Everything With a Credit Card
  Feb 24, 2026
  Swiping for everything can earn hundreds in rewards. Here's what really happens when you put your whole life on a credit card.
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• Forget Debt Consolidation: This Is the Best Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
  Feb 23, 2026
  Carrying credit card debt? A 0% balance transfer card can pause interest and save you thousands faster than consolidation loans.
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• The Most Common Way Americans Waste Money Isn't What You Think
  Feb 23, 2026
  Most Americans admit to wasting money. But it's not what most people blame. Here's where it actually goes.
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• Here's What Happens When You Stop Using Cash
  Feb 23, 2026
  Ditching cash changes more than how you think about spending. It changes how you split bills, handle emergencies, get paid back, and even how you …
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• 90% of Credit Card Fraud Comes From Accounts You Never Opened
  Feb 21, 2026
  Most credit card fraud doesn't start with a stolen card. It starts with a brand-new account you never opened.
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• This Is One Small Banking Change That Can Pay Off Forever
  Feb 21, 2026
  One simple banking move can quietly earn you hundreds more per year without changing how you spend.
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• Nearly 40% of Millennials Waste Money Multiple Times a Month
  Feb 20, 2026
  Nearly 40% of millennials admit they waste money multiple times a month. Here's where it goes and how to stop it.
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• 1 in 4 Americans Regret Using Buy Now, Pay Later. Here's Why
  Feb 20, 2026
  BNPL feels harmless at checkout. But new data shows 1 in 4 users regret it later, often because the small payments add up fast.
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• Why I'm Moving Money Out of High-Yield Savings in February 2026
  Feb 19, 2026
  High-yield savings rates are starting to slip. Here's why I'm locking in CDs instead of waiting for them to fall further.
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• Here's What Happens if You Never Cancel a Credit Card
  Feb 18, 2026
  Closing a card can change your credit score. But keeping one open forever changes it too. Here's what actually happens.
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• Here's Exactly What Banks Don't Want You to Do With Your Money
  Feb 18, 2026
  The biggest threat to a bank's profits isn't fraud. It's you moving your money somewhere smarter.
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• Set It and Forget It? Here's Why Banks Love Inactive Customers
  Feb 16, 2026
  Think your bank doesn't care if you ignore your account? It might actually prefer it that way.
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• The Little-Known Reason Your 'Free' Savings Account Is Costing You More Than You Think
  Feb 15, 2026
  Your savings account might not charge a fee. But the interest rate could be quietly costing you hundreds every year.
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• This Is How Much Impulse Spending Is Costing Millennials Every Month
  Feb 14, 2026
  Nearly half of millennials admit to spending more than $100 a month on impulse buys. Here's what that really adds up to and how to …
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• This Might Be Controversial but Checking Accounts Are a Bad Place to Park Cash
  Feb 14, 2026
  Checking accounts feel safe, but leaving too much cash there quietly costs you hundreds every year. Here's why.
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