Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 552 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 05-06-2026

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

• Save $3,500 a Year on Expenses: The Best Business Credit Cards This Month, May 2026
  May 6, 2026
  Want to save thousands on business expenses this year? Here's the business credit to get, plus four other favorites available now.
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• Forget the Afterpay Card. Use This Instead.
  May 4, 2026
  The Afterpay card works anywhere Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted -- but it earns no rewards and doesn't build credit. Here's a smarter …
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• Once Your Wells Fargo Reflect's Intro APR Ends, Here's the Perfect Card to Switch To
  May 4, 2026
  When your intro APR period ends, you have a few options. Here's how to decide which move makes the most sense for your wallet.
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• Our Top 0% Intro APR Card of May 2026: Pay No Interest for 21 Months
  May 4, 2026
  The Chase Slate card offers one of the longest intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers, with no annual fee -- here's why it's our …
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• Citi Simplicity vs. Diamond Preferred: Which Balance Transfer Card Wins in May 2026?
  May 3, 2026
  Citi Simplicity and Diamond Preferred both have intro APR offers and no annual fee. Here's which one wins for balance transfers vs. new purchases.
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• Earn up to $1,500: The Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, May 3, 2026
  May 3, 2026
  This top high-yield savings account is offering as much as $1,500 in bonus cash. Here's how to land it, plus other great bonuses available now.
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• 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.
  Read More
• 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.
  Read More
• 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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