Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 546 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 05-02-2026

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

• Our Top Balance Transfer Card of May 2026: 0% Intro APR Until 2028
  May 2, 2026
  The Citi Diamond Preferred has a balance transfer offer that lasts nearly two years, a low intro transfer fee, and no annual fee -- a …
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• 3 Top No-Annual-Fee Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: May 2026
  May 2, 2026
  Three no-annual-fee credit cards worth applying for in May 2026 -- including options for travel rewards, cash back, and everyday spending.
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• Best Financial Advisors This Month, May 2026: Top Picks to Help You Finish the Year Strong
  May 2, 2026
  Browse the best financial advisors for May 2026. Updated monthly with vetted picks to help you find the right fit for your money goals.
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• Get as High as 175,000 Bonus Points: The Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses This Week, May 2, 2026
  May 2, 2026
  One of the best premium cards out there comes with a potentially huge welcome bonus. Here's how to get it, and four others worth checking …
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• Best Travel Credit Cards
  May 1, 2026
  The best travel rewards credit cards can help you earn premium rewards and large sign-up bonuses while saving you money. Check out the top travel …
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• Best Credit Cards to Transfer Points
  May 1, 2026
  Want to get the most value from your rewards? Here are the best credit cards for transferring points to airline and hotel partners.
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• Should You Downgrade Your Chase Sapphire Reserve? Here's How to Decide
  May 1, 2026
  This premium travel card just got a big overhaul -- along with a huge fee increase. Here's how to tell if it's still worth it, …
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• SoFi vs. Chime
  May 1, 2026
  Let's compare fees, features, apps, and support for SoFi and Chime, to help you pick the best digital banking option for you.
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• Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access
  May 1, 2026
  Get ready to skip the terminal chaos. These are the best credit cards for airport lounge access this year, from budget-friendly to all-out luxury.
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• Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X
  May 1, 2026
  Compare fees, perks, rewards, and travel benefits between the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X to see which one is right for you.
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• Here Are Our 3 Balance Transfer Cards for May 2026: Pay No Interest for up to 21 Months
  May 1, 2026
  From the longest 0% intro APR windows to rewards you'll keep using -- here are our three favorite no-annual-fee balance transfer cards for May 2026.
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• Wells Fargo Reflect vs. Citi Diamond Preferred: Which 0% Intro APR Card Wins in May 2026?
  May 1, 2026
  Both cards have long intro APR offers for balance transfers and no annual fees -- but the right pick depends on your situation.
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• 3 Credit Cards That Can Help You Save on Ozempic (and Other Rx Costs)
  Apr 30, 2026
  Ozempic can cost hundreds per month without full insurance coverage. These three credit cards earn meaningful cash back on drugstore and pharmacy purchases.
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• Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance
  Apr 30, 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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• Best Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
  Apr 30, 2026
  These top-rated flat-rate credit cards offer up to 2% back on every purchase, plus welcome bonuses and 0% intro APRs.
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• Best Broker Bonuses
  Apr 30, 2026
  Brokerages often offer bonuses and promotions for opening a new account. Here are our picks for the best broker bonuses available now.
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• What 'Zelle' Actually Is -- and How It's Different From Venmo
  Apr 30, 2026
  Zelle and Venmo both send money fast, but they work very differently. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how each one works and when to use …
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• The 5 Best Credit Cards for Emergencies in 2026
  Apr 30, 2026
  The best credit cards for emergencies in 2026 cover everything from instant card access to 0% intro APR on big purchases and built-in travel insurance.
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• Here's How Much $50,000 Would Earn in a 1-Year CD Right Now
  Apr 29, 2026
  A $50,000 CD earning 3.25% APY pays $1,625 in guaranteed interest in 12 months. See what today's best 1-year CD rates actually pay.
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• We Asked 5 Money Experts the No. 1 Balance Transfer Card -- and They All Picked the Same One
  Apr 29, 2026
  The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers an intro APR on balance transfers for nearly two years, no annual fee, and a low transfer fee. See …
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• I've Never Paid Credit Card Interest. Here Are the 3 Rules I Live By
  Apr 28, 2026
  I've carried multiple credit cards for over a decade and never paid a dollar in interest. Here are the three rules that make it work.
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• What a Credit Card's 'Grace Period' Really Means
  Apr 28, 2026
  A credit card grace period is the window between your statement closing and your payment due date. Here's how it works and what happens if …
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• Don't Leave the Country Until You've Checked These 5 Things on Your Credit Card
  Apr 28, 2026
  Your credit card may cover foreign fees, trip insurance, and perks like lounge access. Here's what to check before you head abroad in 2026.
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• The Capital One Savor Card Earns Unlimited 3% at Grocery Stores. Here's What That's Worth in a Year
  Apr 28, 2026
  The Capital One Savor card earns unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, dining, and entertainment with no annual fee. Here's what that adds up …
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• Why Scammers Ask for Gift Cards
  Apr 27, 2026
  Gift card scams cost Americans hundreds of millions annually. Here's why scammers demand gift cards -- and how to spot the red flags before it's …
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