Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 522 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 03-22-2026

Past Experience

Writer & Editor, How To Money
Resident Blogger, Budgets Are Sexy

Summary

Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.

Joel's Recent Articles

• The 5 Top Balance Transfer Cards You Can Get Now
  Mar 22, 2026
  From the long 0% intro APR windows available to travel rewards and cash back -- here are five no-annual-fee balance transfer cards for every type …
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• 0% Intro APR for 21 Months: This Balance Transfer Card Just Got Even Better
  Mar 22, 2026
  The Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a limited-time 3% intro balance transfer fee -- making it one of the strongest cards for paying down credit …
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• Get $400 and up to 4.00% APY: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, March 22, 2026
  Mar 22, 2026
  Open a new bank account and you could earn up to $400 and a top-tier APY with simple requirements. Explore our top bank bonus picks …
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• AI Is Coming for My Job. Here's How I'm Preparing Financially
  Mar 21, 2026
  Writer job postings fell 28% in 2025. Here's how I'm financially preparing for the possibility that AI eventually puts me out of work.
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• These 10 States Pay the Most for Gas as Iran War Pushes Prices Higher
  Mar 21, 2026
  The Iran war is pushing gas prices higher across every state. See which 10 states pay the most at the pump and what it means …
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• Here's the Only Reason I'd Put $50,000 in CDs
  Mar 21, 2026
  For near-retirees trying to protect savings from a market downturn, CDs are a smart tool. Here's when they make sense and when they don't.
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• 3 Top All-Purpose Credit Cards: $200 Welcome Bonuses and 2% Unlimited Cash Back Right Now
  Mar 21, 2026
  These no-annual-fee cash back cards offer unlimited cash back with easy-to-earn welcome offers. Here's how to pick the right card for you.
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• A Free Night With Hilton, Plus 130,000 Points: The Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses This Week, March 21, 2026
  Mar 21, 2026
  Want to unlock a free night at your favorite Hilton property and a huge points haul? Here's the travel card to get today, plus other …
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• Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance
  Mar 20, 2026
  The best credit cards for rental car insurance offer primary coverage that can save you $30/day at the counter. Here are our top picks.
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• Banks With No Overdraft Fees
  Mar 20, 2026
  Avoid costly surprises. Learn about seven bank accounts with no overdraft fees -- including accounts we've tested and trust.
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• Citi Simplicity Card Review
  Mar 20, 2026
  Citi Simplicity offers no annual fee and a generous 0% APR intro period -- perfect for paying off debt. Learn how this card works and …
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• Earn $400 With a New Account: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, Feb. 22, 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  If you want to make an easy few hundred bucks, a new bank account could be a great way to do it. Check out our …
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• Supercharge Your Savings: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, March 1, 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  A new bank account can be the perfect way to level up your savings -- and earn a nice bonus while you're at it. Here …
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• Earn up to $400 in Bonus Cash: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, March 8, 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  Want to earn an easy few hundred bucks? Here are our favorite bank bonuses available now to help you do it.
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• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts (Up to 4.21%)
  Mar 20, 2026
  Our expert picks for the best high-yield savings accounts earn up to 4.31% APY -- 10x more than the national average. Most accounts here are …
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• Earn a Boosted APY of up to 4.10%: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, March 15, 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  Opening a new bank account is one of the easiest ways to earn more on the cash you already have. Here are our favorite bank …
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• My Team Tracks Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses. These 3 Are Easy Pickings in March 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  Three no-annual-fee cards with easy welcome offers this month -- plus ongoing rewards worth keeping for the long haul. See which card fits how you …
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• Earn 4.00% APY Without Lifting a Finger -- This Account Does All the Work
  Mar 20, 2026
  The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account earns a top APY with no fees, no minimums, and easy setup. Here's how one simple recurring transfer unlocks it …
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• We Compared 100+ Credit Cards -- Here's the Best Balance Transfer Card for March 2026
  Mar 20, 2026
  The Citi Diamond Preferred Card tops our list of the best balance transfer cards -- no annual fee, a long 0% intro APR period, and …
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• Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
  Mar 19, 2026
  A 0% intro APR credit card can be a powerful tool for saving money. See our top picks for the best 0% intro APR credit …
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• Citi Simplicity Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred
  Mar 19, 2026
  Trying to choose between Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred? Here's a breakdown of fees, perks, and which card is better for your balance transfer …
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• 2 of Our Favorite Balance Transfer Cards Offering 21 Months of 0% Intro APR Right Now
  Mar 19, 2026
  Stop paying interest on debt you're already trying to eliminate. These no-annual-fee cards offer some of the longest 0% intro windows available right now.
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• 3 Top Balance Transfer Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: February 2026
  Mar 19, 2026
  These cards offer long intro APR periods, no annual fees, and useful extras to help you pay off balances faster in 2026 and beyond.
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• Citi Diamond Preferred Review
  Mar 19, 2026
  Enjoy 0% APR for 21 months with the Citi Diamond Preferred. Learn if it's the right move to save on interest and crush your debt.
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• Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back
  Mar 19, 2026
  Both the Discover it Chrome and Discover it Cash Back cards offer strong rewards with no annual fee, but here's how they compare on earnings, …
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