Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 329 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 11-21-2025

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

• Should You Open a 6-Month CD Before Interest Rates Drop?
  Jun 20, 2025
  CD rates may fall soon. Locking in a 6-month CD now could help you secure a solid return before banks start trimming yields.
  Read More
• The 5 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Picking Car Insurance
  Jun 19, 2025
  Don't let a simple car insurance mistake cost you thousands. Here are five common mistakes (and how to avoid them).
  Read More
• Higher Prices Are Coming. Here Are 3 Ways to Prepare
  Jun 18, 2025
  Here's how to protect your budget, build up savings, and make your money go further as inflation and tariffs impact our bills.
  Read More
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Groceries as Prices Spike
  Jun 18, 2025
  Groceries are pricey. But these five frugal habits (including a 6% cash back card) can help you save hundreds without clipping a single coupon.
  Read More
• I'm Building a $50,000 'Reverse' CD Ladder to Buy a Rental Property -- Here's How
  Jun 15, 2025
  My wife and I are saving up $50,000 for a rental property using a CD ladder. Here's our plan, our timeline, and how much we'll …
  Read More
• Here's What a $1 Million Retirement Actually Looks Like
  Jun 15, 2025
  A $1 million retirement can be built in many ways -- with 401(k)s, IRAs, savings, and even real estate -- giving you flexibility and income …
  Read More
• The Fed Meets June 17 -- Here's What That Means for Your Money
  Jun 15, 2025
  The Fed's next meeting could impact your savings rates. Here's how to prepare now and protect your cash from falling yields.
  Read More
• How to Start a CD Ladder With Just $5,000
  Jun 14, 2025
  You don't need tens of thousands to build a CD ladder. Here's how to start with just $5,000 and earn more on your savings.
  Read More
• Here's What Happens When You Qualify for a High-Limit Credit Card
  Jun 14, 2025
  Qualifying for a high-limit credit card can boost your credit score, unlock better rewards, and give you more financial peace of mind.
  Read More
• Should You Sign Up for Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance in 2025?
  Jun 13, 2025
  Pay-per-mile auto insurance can lower costs for low-mileage drivers in 2025. Learn how it works and who it's best for.
  Read More
• My Friend Built a $60,000 CD Ladder. Here's How Much It Pays Him Monthly
  Jun 13, 2025
  A $60,000 CD ladder sounds complex, but it's surprisingly simple. Here's how much my friend earns each month and how it works.
  Read More
• How to Get United Airlines Perks Without Elite Status
  Jun 12, 2025
  Want VIP perks like upgrades and free bags when flying United? Here's how to get them, with the help of a travel credit card.
  Read More
• 5 Ways Retirees Can Save Money on Car Insurance
  Jun 12, 2025
  Retirees can cut car insurance costs by reassessing coverage, driving less, and comparing quotes. Here's how to start saving money today.
  Read More
• This Simple Move Could Add $1 Million to Your Retirement Fund
  Jun 11, 2025
  Just a couple hundred bucks a month, automatically invested, can quietly grow into over $1 million by retirement. Here's how.
  Read More
• Why Premium Cards Are Worth It Again in 2025 (Even With High Fees)
  Jun 11, 2025
  Even with annual fees over $500, premium credit cards are packed with travel perks and protections that offset the cost.
  Read More
• Ranked: Car Insurance Companies With the Best Rates Now
  Jun 11, 2025
  Auto insurance premiums are rising, but not everywhere. Here are the companies offering the lowest average rates in 2025.
  Read More
• The One Subscription Cost That's Easy to Miss on Your Credit Card Statement
  Jun 10, 2025
  Free trials and sneaky renewals make it easy to overlook subscriptions. Here's how to catch them early and keep more cash in your pocket.
  Read More
• 5 Biggest Mistakes When Chasing Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Jun 9, 2025
  Qualifying for a credit card bonus is quite easy. Still, many people make silly mistakes that can cost them the entire bonus value. Find out …
  Read More
• How Much Money Do You Need in Savings to Get Through a Recession?
  Jun 9, 2025
  Here's how much emergency savings you really need to protect yourself during a recession, plus some smart ways to grow it.
  Read More
• Retire a Millionaire: The $1 Million Plan That Starts With Just One Change
  Jun 8, 2025
  Here's how my wife and I became millionaires starting with one simple paycheck habit, and letting time do the heavy lifting.
  Read More
• 4 Ways Millionaires Make Money Without Taking Big Risks
  Jun 7, 2025
  Learn how millionaires grow wealth steadily with low-risk strategies like index funds, HYSAs, and smart diversification.
  Read More
• How Many Bank Accounts Should You Have? (I Have 4 -- Here's How I Use Them)
  Jun 7, 2025
  Learn how many bank accounts you really need, and get a look inside my personal setup that keeps our money flowing smoothly.
  Read More
• High-Limit Credit Cards Are Back in 2025 -- and They Come With Wild Perks
  Jun 6, 2025
  Premium credit cards can offer five-figure spending limits and amazing perks. Here's how to qualify and use one to your full advantage.
  Read More
• If I Could Tell Every Retirement Saver 1 Thing Now, It Would Be This
  Jun 3, 2025
  Investing early and often is the biggest retirement saving "secret." Here's why -- and how to make it easy.
  Read More
• Is It Worth Paying a 2% Surcharge to Earn Credit Card Rewards?
  Jun 1, 2025
  Find out when it actually makes sense to pay credit card surcharges and when you're better off sticking with debit or cash.
  Read More