Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 600 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 06-18-2026

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

• Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back
  Jun 18, 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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• Amex Business Platinum Card Review
  Jun 18, 2026
  The Amex Business Platinum Card packs VIP travel perks and statement credits. Here's an honest look at who should carry it, and who shouldn't.
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• Unlock up to $400 and a Boosted APY: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, June 14, 2026
  Jun 17, 2026
  This high-yield savings account is offering a cash bonus and a boosted APY for a limited time. Here's how to land it, plus a few …
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• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts (Up to 4.21%)
  Jun 17, 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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• This No-Annual-Fee Credit Card Offers up to 6% Cash Back and a $200 Bonus
  Jun 17, 2026
  Pick your own top cash back category, switch it monthly, and pay nothing in annual fees with a card built for everyday spenders.
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• Best Stock Brokers
  Jun 16, 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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• Chase Freedom Rise Review
  Jun 16, 2026
  Earn cash back with $0 annual fee, easy approval odds, and more with the Chase Freedom Rise® card. Here's who this starter card is actually …
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• 5 Places You Should Never Use a Debit Card
  Jun 16, 2026
  At gas stations, restaurants, and online, a credit card beats a debit card on safety and rewards. Here are five places where it matters most.
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• The Best Flat-Rate Cash Back Card for June 2026
  Jun 16, 2026
  This no-annual-fee card earns 2% flat-rate rewards on purchases, with cellphone protection and perks that punch above its price tag.
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• 100,000-Point Bonus, $100 Hotel Credit, 3X on Gas and Airbnb: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Is Getting Even Better
  Jun 15, 2026
  This rare refresh tilts further in the cardholder's favor, with bigger travel credits, new everyday categories, and the same modest annual fee.
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Jun 15, 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 Travel Credit Cards
  Jun 15, 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
  Jun 15, 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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• Earn a 200,000-Point Bonus for a Limited Time With the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
  Jun 15, 2026
  Premium travel perks, airport lounge access, and free employee cards make this a strong fit for established businesses with serious monthly spend.
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• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 2026 Update: Everything You Need to Know
  Jun 15, 2026
  The annual fee stays the same, while new travel rewards and a bigger hotel credit rolls out. Here are the full Chase Sapphire Preferred refresh …
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• Best Credit Cards to Transfer Points
  Jun 15, 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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• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review
  Jun 15, 2026
  Chase Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most flexible out there. Here's my honest 2026 take on the Chase Sapphire Preferred's perks, fees, and …
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• Earn $1,000 With a Top Business Card: The Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, May 23, 2026
  Jun 15, 2026
  Want to earn a large sign-up bonus, plus 5% back on all kinds of business expenses? Here's the credit card to get, plus four other …
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• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
  Jun 15, 2026
  The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Amex Blue Cash Preferred both offer big value -- see which card gives you more savings and fits your …
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• Should You Downgrade Your Chase Sapphire Reserve? Here's How to Decide
  Jun 15, 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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• Here's What It Takes to Get the Best Credit Cards Now
  Jun 13, 2026
  Card issuers weigh income, debt load, and recent activity, not just your score. Here's how banks decide who earns top rewards.
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• Save Thousands in Travel This Year: Best Credit Card Welcome Offers This Week, June 13, 2026
  Jun 13, 2026
  The Amex Platinum is one of the best travel cards out there -- and its welcome bonus offer is just the cherry on top. Here's …
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• Earn a $1,000 Sign-Up Bonus and Pay No Annual Fee: The Best Business Credit Cards This Month, June 2026
  Jun 12, 2026
  Want to earn a solid sign-up bonus on a business card with no annual fee? Check out these two Chase favorites, along with some other …
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• Get a $1,000 Bonus for a Limited Time With the Chase Ink Business Cash Card
  Jun 12, 2026
  This award-winning business card pairs category-leading cash back with no annual fee, making it a standout pick for everyday business spending in 2026.
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• Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $1,000 Bonus With the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card
  Jun 12, 2026
  This no-annual-fee business card rewards every purchase, and it's pairing that with a standout welcome offer worth a serious look in 2026.
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