Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 616 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 07-11-2026

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

• Get 0% Intro APR Until 2028 With This Citi Card
  Jul 11, 2026
  A balance transfer pauses interest so more of your payment hits the balance. Here's what to weigh before you move your credit card debt.
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• Unlock as High as 175,000 Points: Best Credit Card Bonuses This Week, July 11, 2026
  Jul 11, 2026
  This elite Amex card is offering one of the biggest welcome bonus offers I've ever seen. Here's what to know about our favorite cards available …
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• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
  Jul 10, 2026
  Explore the best business credit cards for travel. Maximize rewards, perks, and protection whether you're flying solo or managing employee spending.
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• Best Chase Credit Cards
  Jul 10, 2026
  Discover the best Chase credit cards for travel, cash back, and business. Compare top picks, maximize rewards, and find the perfect card for your wallet.
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• A Complete Guide to Balance Transfers
  Jul 10, 2026
  Balance transfers can help you pay off credit card debt faster. Learn how they work, how much you can save, and what to avoid.
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• Already Have the Amex Platinum? Here's the Card to Get Next -- July 2026
  Jul 10, 2026
  The best sidekick card for Amex Platinum holders comes down to one choice: stack more points, or keep rewards simple? Here's how each path pays …
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• The Top 3 High-Yield Savings Accounts of July 2026
  Jul 10, 2026
  You can earn up to 10X the national average APY with some top high-yield savings accounts. Here are three worth opening this month, and who …
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• The Best Grocery Card for July 2026, Hands Down
  Jul 10, 2026
  The average household spends $847 a month on food. See how much the Capital One Savor's 3% cash back on groceries and dining puts back …
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• Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back
  Jul 9, 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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• J.P. Morgan Investing Review
  Jul 9, 2026
  J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing allows unlimited trades with $0 commissions. Find out all the details in our full J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing review.
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• Will the Fed Cut Rates in July 2026? Here's What the Markets Say
  Jul 9, 2026
  A Fed rate cut isn't happening in July 2026. Here's why a hike is on the table instead, and what it means for your savings …
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• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review
  Jul 8, 2026
  Get simple, unlimited cash back with no annual fee. Read our full Chase Ink Business Unlimited review to see if it's the best card for …
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• Best Business Credit Cards
  Jul 8, 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 …
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Jul 8, 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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• Best Credit Cards
  Jul 8, 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.
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• Get Up to $1,500 in Cash or Free Stock: The Best Brokerage Bonuses of July 2026
  Jul 8, 2026
  Here are three brokerage bonuses live in July 2026, including cash offers and free stock for new investors.
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• Best Broker Bonuses
  Jul 8, 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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• The Chase Sapphire Preferred's Best Transfer Deal Is Going Away. Here Are 3 That Still Make It Worth It
  Jul 8, 2026
  The Chase Sapphire Preferred's Hyatt transfer ratio is changing. Here's what your points are worth now, and where to send them instead.
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• Best Stock Brokers
  Jul 7, 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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• 3 Top Cash Back Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: June 2026
  Jul 7, 2026
  Ready to up your cash back game in 2026? Here's how to match the highest rewards structure to where your monthly spending actually lands.
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• 3 Top No-Annual-Fee Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: June 2026
  Jul 7, 2026
  Skip the annual fee and still get strong rewards, real welcome offers, and flexible redemption options on everyday spending.
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• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
  Jul 7, 2026
  The Capital One Savor card earns bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and groceries. Find out all about it in this Capital One Savor review.
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• Can You Do a Balance Transfer More Than Once?
  Jul 7, 2026
  Yes, you can do a balance transfer more than once. But qualifying, transfer fees, and your credit limits all shape whether multiple balance transfers are …
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• This Wells Fargo Card Is the Top All-Purpose Card of 2026
  Jul 7, 2026
  The Active Cash card gives you flat-rate cash back on the spending you already do, with no categories to track and no annual fee. Here's …
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• The Credit Card I'd Recommend to Anyone Starting From Zero
  Jul 7, 2026
  The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns flat-rate cash back with no annual fee, making it a simple first card you can hold for years while your …
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