James McClenathen

Editorial Strategist | TMFJammerz

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 157 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-14-2025

Summary

James McClenathen is a full-time Managing Editor and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, overseeing the production and quality of editorial content while also writing about credit cards, investing, and everyday money management. He has worked at The Motley Fool since 2012 and brings extensive experience as an editor, reporter, and finance expert. A graduate of the University of Michigan, James has spent more than a decade of his career helping readers make smarter financial decisions.

James's Recent Articles

• Here's How Much $20,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Right Now
  Mar 15, 2025
  Investing $20,000 in a 6-month CD could earn you $460 if you get the best rates available. See if buying CDs makes sense for you …
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• Only 17% of Americans Use This Amazing Retirement Account
  Mar 14, 2025
  Among workers who have access to a Roth 401(k), only 17% contribute to one. Here's why others want to start ASAP.
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• 3 Signs You Have Too Much Money in Savings
  Mar 10, 2025
  Savings accounts are essential financial tools, but you don't want to stash all your money in one. Find out when you may want to put …
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• Buying These 3 Things With a Credit Card Is a Big Mistake
  Mar 8, 2025
  Rewards cards can save you a ton of money if you're paying your bills in full. But find out when using a card can come …
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• Forget CDs, Even With Rates up to 4.50%. Here's Where to Put Your Money Instead
  Mar 7, 2025
  CDs offer less flexibility than savings accounts and lower returns than the stock market. Here are some good reasons to put your money elsewhere.
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• Here's How Much $10,000 Would Earn in Treasury Bonds
  Mar 7, 2025
  A $10,000 investment in recently auctioned T-bonds would earn $9,500 or more in interest. Read on to learn the basics of T-bonds before you invest.
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• Is $50,000 Too Much to Have in Savings?
  Mar 4, 2025
  Very few people need $50,000 or more in their savings accounts. Here's a simple way to put extra cash to work.
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• This Simple Trick Could Boost Your Credit Score Instantly
  Mar 3, 2025
  Making more frequent credit card payments may improve your credit score in ways you never expected. Find out how.
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• 3 Things People With Perfect Credit Scores Have in Common
  Mar 3, 2025
  Attaining a perfect credit score is difficult, but there's no "trick" to it. See how some Americans have done it -- and how you can, …
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• The 3 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Investing in CDs
  Mar 2, 2025
  Investing in CDs is simple and safe -- if you follow a few basic rules. Here are some big CD investing mistakes and how to …
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• Why Elon Musk and Other Billionaires Take Out Mortgages
  Mar 1, 2025
  Billionaires use mortgages to buy homes so they can keep as much money as possible in wealth-growing investments. Find out how regular people can do …
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• CDs vs. T-Bills: Where Should You Put Your Money Now?
  Mar 1, 2025
  CDs and T-bills are both safe ways to earn guaranteed interest. Read on to learn some key differences between the two.
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• How Much Money Does It Take to Be 'Rich'? Here's What the Numbers Say
  Feb 28, 2025
  No single number can tell you how wealthy you are, but net worth comes close. Find out the net worth of the wealthiest Americans and …
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• Forget CDs: You Could Lock in a 4.4% Yield for 10 Years
  Feb 25, 2025
  10-year Treasury notes offer a guaranteed yield of over 4%, but you need to understand them before you invest. Learn the essentials.
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• Should You Open a 5-Year CD in 2025?
  Feb 24, 2025
  Today's best 5-year CD rates look pretty tempting. But should you lock in a CD now or put your cash elsewhere? Find out here.
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• I Keep All My Retirement Savings in This Type of Account (and Maybe You Should, Too)
  Feb 24, 2025
  Roth 401(k)s and IRAs give me big tax breaks and peace of mind when it comes to my retirement planning. See if they're right for …
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• If You Have a Chase Savings Account, You Should Switch ASAP. Here's Why
  Feb 24, 2025
  Chase savings accounts have an APY of just 0.01%, which means customers could be missing out on huge amounts of interest earnings. Here are some …
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• How Much Money Should Retirees Have in Cash?
  Feb 23, 2025
  Keeping one to two years' worth of expenses in cash allows retirees to cover near-term expenses and avoid selling investments at a loss. Read on …
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• A Simple Guide to Making Money With CDs
  Feb 23, 2025
  CD investing can be easy and lucrative with the right strategy. Find out how to earn high interest with little effort.
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• Have a Bank of America Savings Account? You're Probably Missing Out on $300-Plus a Year
  Feb 22, 2025
  Bank of America's savings account APYs are extremely low. See how you could earn hundreds more per year with a high-yield savings account.
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• Have Lots of Money in Your Checking Account? Here Are 3 Better Places to Keep Your Cash
  Feb 21, 2025
  Almost everybody needs a checking account, but keeping too much money in checking could cost you thousands. Here are three better ways to use extra …
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• Here's Why the Average American Should Have $19,800 or More in Savings
  Feb 21, 2025
  $19,800 is about how much the average American spends in three months. Here's why they should try to have that amount in savings.
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• Here's How You Could Save $1,000 or More in Credit Card Interest
  Feb 18, 2025
  If you have thousands of dollars in credit card debt, a balance transfer card could help you pay it off faster -- and save you …
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• This Is How Much Money You Can Make With $30K in a High-Yield Savings Account
  Feb 17, 2025
  At today's interest rates, a high-yield savings account would turn $30,000 into $66,000 in 20 years. But find out why you may want to put …
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• The Average American Has This Much Debt. How Does Yours Compare?
  Feb 16, 2025
  The average American owes $105,056 across all types of debt -- but don't compare yourself to the average. Learn how to tell how healthy your …
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