Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 499 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 02-28-2026

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

• Trump Accounts Sound Great -- but Here's Why I'm Not Opening One for My Kids
  Feb 28, 2026
  My kids don't qualify for the $1,000 seed money and the tax benefits aren't that great. Here's why I'm sticking with UGMA accounts instead.
  Read More
• Here's the Average 401(k) Balance by Age vs. What You Actually Need
  Feb 28, 2026
  Here's how the average 401(k) balance stacks up against what experts recommend -- broken down by generation, with tips to close the gap.
  Read More
• The Easiest $200 You'll Ever Earn: The Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, Feb. 28, 2026
  Feb 28, 2026
  Want to unlock one of the easiest welcome bonuses I've ever seen? Here's how you can do it, plus other great bonuses available now.
  Read More
• Best Stock Brokers
  Feb 27, 2026
  Get expert advice from The Motley Fool on the best stock brokers for your investment needs. Don't miss out on these 10 best trading platforms …
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• SoFi Active Investing Review
  Feb 27, 2026
  SoFi Active Investing is a favorite for stock brokers among our experts. Find out why it made the list in our full SoFi Active Investing …
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• 3 Top Balance Transfer Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: February 2026
  Feb 27, 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.
  Read More
• This $0 Annual Fee Grocery Card Beats the Fancy Rewards Cards
  Feb 27, 2026
  This card earns 3% back on groceries, dining, and entertainment -- with no annual fee. Here's why it quietly outperforms pricier rewards cards.
  Read More
• Retirement Savings in Your 50s: Here's What 'On Track' Actually Looks Like
  Feb 27, 2026
  Here's what the benchmarks look like for ideal retirement savings at age 50 -- and what to do if you're behind.
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• Dear Wife, Here's What to Do With Our Money if I Die Early
  Feb 27, 2026
  If you manage the household finances and die unexpectedly, your spouse could be left scrambling. Here's a practical roadmap to help them take over without …
  Read More
• A Travel Card So Exclusive, It Comes With Its Own Concierge Team
  Feb 27, 2026
  Amex Platinum Concierge is a 24/7 team of real humans who handle reservations, event tickets, gifts, and travel logistics on your behalf.
  Read More
• Forget Big Banks: Here's Why I Moved My Savings to an Online Bank
  Feb 27, 2026
  My old bank paid 0.01% APY on savings, and charged a monthly fee. Here's how switching earned thousands more -- with zero extra risk.
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• I've Done the Math, and This Luxury Card Is Easiest to Justify Year After Year
  Feb 27, 2026
  The Venture X's annual fee is easy to offset with simple travel credits and bonus miles -- no complex spending strategies required.
  Read More
• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts (Up to 4.21%)
  Feb 26, 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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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Feb 26, 2026
  Discover the best credit card bonuses to jumpstart your rewards journey. From travel to cash back, find the ideal card for your lifestyle and start …
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• Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Review
  Feb 26, 2026
  Earn free Hilton stays faster with this hotel-branded card. Big welcome bonus, high earning rates, and automatic Gold elite status.
  Read More
• Here's What Happens When Your Emergency Fund Is Too Big
  Feb 26, 2026
  Keeping too much cash in savings can hurt your long-term wealth. Here's how to find the right emergency fund size and what to do with …
  Read More
• The 3 Best Balance Transfer Cards That Also Pay up to 6% Cash Back
  Feb 26, 2026
  Looking for a balance transfer card that also earns real cash back? These no-annual-fee picks have intro APR offers plus rewards up to 6% in …
  Read More
• There's Only One Place Your Emergency Fund Should Be. Here's Why
  Feb 26, 2026
  Your emergency fund needs more than safety -- it needs to earn interest. A high-yield savings account offers both. Here's where to keep yours and …
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• Here's What Investing $500 a Month for 10 Years Would Actually Get You
  Feb 26, 2026
  Investing $500 a month for 10 years could grow to over $100,000 -- even starting from zero. Here's what compound growth looks like and how …
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• This Huge Venture X Bonus Could Pay for Your Next Vacation
  Feb 26, 2026
  This premium travel card offers a generous welcome offer and flexible rewards that can help cover your next trip. Here's how it works.
  Read More
• Who Is Responsible for Credit Card Debt After You Die?
  Feb 25, 2026
  Credit card debt doesn't disappear when you die. Learn who's actually responsible -- your estate, joint holders, or family -- and what steps to take …
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• Here's My Roth IRA Balance After 10 Years of Maxing It Out
  Feb 25, 2026
  I've maxed out my Roth IRA every year since 2017. Here's my real balance after 10 years -- and what it could grow to by …
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• Here's the Average American's Credit Limit. How Do You Compare?
  Feb 25, 2026
  The average American has a $29,855 credit limit, but Gen Z averages just $13K and boomers nearly $42K. Here's how to compare -- and raise …
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• Here's What Happens When You Dispute a Charge on Your Credit Card
  Feb 25, 2026
  Disputing charges is easier than most people think. Here's what actually happens behind the scenes -- and when to contact the merchant first.
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• 4 Ways to Invest $1,000 Right Now
  Feb 25, 2026
  Have $1,000 to invest? Here are four smart moves -- from paying off debt to index funds and high-yield savings -- that can grow your …
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