Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 678 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 09-11-2026

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

• Earn $1,000+ Toward Travel With Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's Limited-Time Sign-Up Bonus
  Sep 11, 2026
  The Capital One Venture keeps travel rewards simple with flat-rate miles and perks that can outweigh the annual fee for regular spenders.
  Read More
• This Card Pairs Perfectly With the Capital One Venture X -- and Has No Annual Fee
  Sep 10, 2026
  See how the no-annual-fee Capital One Savor complements the Venture X by covering groceries, dining, entertainment, and streaming.
  Read More
• Earn $1,000 in Bonus Rewards: The Best Business Credit Cards This Month, September 2026
  Sep 10, 2026
  Want to earn a massive welcome bonus on a no-annual-fee business card? Here are the cards worth looking at now.
  Read More
• 3 Balance Transfer Cards That Are Better Than the One Your Bank Is Pushing
  Sep 10, 2026
  I track card offers every day, and the one your bank mails you is rarely the best fit for your individual situation. Here's what I'd …
  Read More
• Best Credit Cards
  Sep 9, 2026
  Our team of experts reviewed the best credit cards to bring you our top picks for all scenarios: cash back, balance transfer, and more.
  Read More
• Best Business Credit Cards
  Sep 9, 2026
  Compare the best business credit cards of 2026 for cash back, travel perks, and 0% intro APR offers. Find the perfect card to maximize your …
  Read More
• Our Favorite Balance Transfer Card if You Have Excellent Credit: September 2026
  Sep 9, 2026
  With excellent credit, I'd pick the card that pauses interest and then pays cash back once the debt's gone, over a longer no-rewards option.
  Read More
• What's the Best Business Credit Card for Cash Back in September 2026?
  Sep 9, 2026
  The right cash back card depends on how your business spends. Here's how to match a flat-rate or category card to your everyday expenses.
  Read More
• I Moved $106,000 Between Banks at Once. Here's What Happened Next
  Sep 8, 2026
  Moving a large sum between banks by ACH comes with hold times and a couple surprises. Here's what I learned about the wait before you …
  Read More
• The Top 3 High-Yield Savings Accounts of September 2026
  Sep 8, 2026
  Best savings options this month, ranked by who they fit -- all-in-one banking, no-fuss simplicity, and the pick for bigger balances.
  Read More
• My Top 3 Balance Transfer Cards for People With Good Credit: September 2026
  Sep 8, 2026
  With good credit, you've got real options to pause interest on debt. Here are the three cards I'd reach for right now and how to …
  Read More
• What Happens to Your Balance Transfer Card After the 0% Intro Period Ends?
  Sep 7, 2026
  Once the promo rate ends, only your leftover balance is charged interest -- with no retroactive catch-up on the debt you already paid off.
  Read More
• 3 Top 0% Intro APR Credit Cards You Can Get Right Now: September 2026
  Sep 7, 2026
  A long interest-free window can wipe out a balance or fund a big purchase. Here's how to match the right card to your goal.
  Read More
• 21 Months of 0% Intro APR: Chase Slate Is One of the Best Balance Transfer Cards of 2026
  Sep 6, 2026
  Paying down a card balance is far easier when interest isn't working against you. See how the Chase Slate fits a debt-payoff plan and who …
  Read More
• Here's How Much You'd Make if You Put $50 a Month in an HYSA for a Year
  Sep 6, 2026
  Consistent monthly saving grows faster in a high-yield account than a traditional one, and the gap widens every year you keep it going.
  Read More
• Here's When a Regular Savings Account Beats a High-Yield Savings Account
  Sep 6, 2026
  A high-yield account wins for most short-term savings, but a few situations make a traditional bank the better place to keep your cash.
  Read More
• The Best IRA Brokers of September 2026: Matches, Low Fees, and Top Picks
  Sep 5, 2026
  Compare top brokers for opening a Roth or traditional IRA, from beginner-friendly apps to low-cost index fund giants.
  Read More
• Where to Buy IPO Stocks: Best Brokers for IPO Access in 2026
  Sep 4, 2026
  Want in on the next big IPO? These brokers give everyday investors real access to IPO shares before they hit the open market.
  Read More
• Can a Brand-New LLC Get a Business Credit Card?
  Sep 4, 2026
  A business you formed last week can get a credit card. Most issuers approve on your personal credit, not your company's history. Here's how.
  Read More
• Best IRA Accounts
  Sep 4, 2026
  Compare the eight best IRA accounts of 2026, including Charles Schwab and Fidelity. See fees, features, and how to open the right IRA for you.
  Read More
• The 3 Best High-Limit Cards You Can Apply for in September 2026
  Sep 4, 2026
  A bigger credit line means more buying power and lower credit utilization. Here's how I'd pick the right one for the way you spend.
  Read More
• Up to 21 Months of 0% Intro APR: Our 3 Favorite Balance Transfer Cards of September 2026
  Sep 4, 2026
  The longest interest-free window isn't always your best fit. Here's how I'd match the right payoff card to your balance.
  Read More
• The Best Brokerage Accounts for Beginners, September 2026: Buy Your First Stock in Under 10 Minutes
  Sep 4, 2026
  Choosing your first broker feels big, but switching later is as easy as changing banks. Here's a look at three easy broker options for new …
  Read More
• Get up to $3,000 in Total Bonus Cash or Free Stock: The Best Brokerage Bonuses of September 2026
  Sep 4, 2026
  Some brokers offer cash bonuses, others give you free stocks. Here are the top broker bonuses right now, and how to match the right one …
  Read More
• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts (Up to 4.15%)
  Sep 3, 2026
  Our expert picks for the best high-yield savings accounts earn up to 4.15% APY -- 10x more than the national average. Most accounts here are …
  Read More