Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 613 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 07-10-2026

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
  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, …
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• 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 …
  Read More
• Trump Accounts Just Launched. Can You Get a Free $1,000 for Your Child?
  Jul 7, 2026
  Trump Accounts are live as of July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who gets the $1,000, and what to do if your kid doesn't …
  Read More
• Get a $1,000 Bonus for a Limited Time With the Chase Ink Business Cash Card -- but Act Fast
  Jul 6, 2026
  Interest-free purchases plus cash back on everyday business spending can turn a tight cash flow month into a manageable one.
  Read More
• 3 Safest Online Banks in July 2026
  Jul 5, 2026
  How the safest online banks protect your money with federal insurance, strong security, and no junk fees, plus how to pick the right one.
  Read More
• How Long Does It Actually Take to Pay Off $10,000 With a Balance Transfer Card?
  Jul 5, 2026
  A balance transfer card stops the interest and starts a clock. Learn how to set a monthly payment that clears $10,000 before the intro window …
  Read More
• Earn a Boosted APY and a Bonus up to $400: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, July 5, 2026
  Jul 5, 2026
  My favorite high-yield savings account is offering a boosted APY for up to six months, plus a one-time cash bonus. Here's what to know.
  Read More
• These 10 States Pay the Most for Gas as Prices Remain Elevated
  Jul 4, 2026
  Drivers in high-mileage states spend the most on gas, not those with the priciest pumps. See the 10 states topping the list in 2026.
  Read More
• 3 Top All-Purpose Credit Cards: $200 Welcome Bonuses and 2% Unlimited Cash Rewards Right Now
  Jul 4, 2026
  No-annual-fee cash back cards pair unlimited rewards with an easy welcome offer. Here's how to match one to the way you actually spend.
  Read More
• The Best Brokerage Accounts for Beginners, July 2026: Buy Your First Stock in Under 10 Minutes
  Jul 4, 2026
  Picking your first broker shapes how you invest for years. Here's what I screen for, plus the three accounts I recommend a new investor start …
  Read More