Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 376 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 01-09-2026

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

• Here's How to Earn $10,000 With CDs
  Sep 26, 2025
  With today's top APYs, here's how much cash it takes to earn $10,000 with a traditional certificate of deposit.
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• Ponce Bank CD Rates
  Sep 26, 2025
  Ponce Bank offers competitive rates on CDs through the Raisin platform. Check out current Ponce Bank CD rates to see how much interest you could …
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• 5 Habits That Help the Rich Stay Rich
  Sep 26, 2025
  Wealthy people follow consistent, strategic money habits. Here's what they do, and how you can follow their playbook.
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• Best Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
  Sep 24, 2025
  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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• If You See This One Thing on Your Bank Statement, It's Time to Switch Accounts
  Sep 26, 2025
  Overdraft fees are extremely annoying. Here's what they really mean -- and how switching banks can help you avoid them for good.
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• Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity
  Sep 25, 2025
  You can't go wrong picking either Fidelity or Charles Schwab as a broker. Here's a quick overview of each and a fair comparison.
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• Guide to CD Laddering
  Jun 3, 2025
  Learn how to build a CD ladder, why it works, and how it can boost your savings with less risk. Includes step-by-step guide and real-life …
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• How Does a CD Work?
  Aug 8, 2025
  Learn how a certificate of deposit (CD) works, including interest rates, terms, and why CDs can be a safe and predictable savings tool.
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• A Complete Guide to Balance Transfers
  Sep 24, 2025
  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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• How Much Savings You Really Need to Feel Confident in a Recession
  Sep 24, 2025
  Here's a simple guide for how to ride out a recession stress-free, plus smart ways to grow your cushion faster.
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• Fidelity vs. Robinhood
  Sep 23, 2025
  Fidelity and Robinhood are two excellent brokerage picks, but for different audiences. I'll break down which is best for you.
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• Here's What Happens When You Pay Your Credit Card Bill Every Week
  Sep 23, 2025
  Paying your balance off every week can lower your utilization, cut interest costs, and help you build stronger money habits. Here's why it works.
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• This Account Could Help You Save $1,000 Faster
  Sep 23, 2025
  Set up auto-deposits and earn a high APY with one of today's top high-yield savings accounts. Learn a smarter way to build savings with minimal …
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• Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Review
  Sep 22, 2025
  Earn free Hilton stays faster with this hotel-branded card. Big welcome bonus, high earning rates, and automatic Gold elite status.
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• The No. 1 Mistake People Make With High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Sep 21, 2025
  High-yield savings accounts are awesome. But here's why keeping too much cash in one could cost you hundreds of thousands in missed growth.
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• Why Mortgage Rates Probably Won't Drop After the Fed's Rate Cut
  Sep 18, 2025
  The Fed just cut rates. But don't expect mortgage rates to immediately follow suit. Here's why home buyers may not see cheaper loans just yet.
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• Here's What Happens When Your Credit Score Reaches a Perfect 850
  Sep 18, 2025
  Hitting an 850 credit score sounds epic, but does it really change anything? Here's what actually happens when you reach the top.
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• I Pay My Credit Card Bill Every Week. Here's Why
  Sep 17, 2025
  Paying my credit card weekly helps me stay on top of spending, avoid interest, and benefits my credit profile. Here's why it works so well.
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• 5 Places You Should Never Swipe Your Debit Card
  Sep 17, 2025
  Debit cards can leave your money exposed. Here are five risky places where swiping could cost you more than you think.
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• Here's What Happens When You Withdraw $10,000+ From Your Bank Account
  Sep 16, 2025
  Thinking of pulling out $10,000 or more in cash? Here's what really goes down, why banks keep an eye on it, and how to make …
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• 5 Little Habits That Keep Frequent Flyers in Business Class
  Sep 15, 2025
  Want to fly business class without paying sky-high prices? Learn about these five smart travel habits that can help you upgrade your seat for less.
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• I Analyze Bank Accounts for a Living -- Here's What I'd Do With $5,000
  Sep 15, 2025
  Got $5K sitting in your bank account? Here's how to make that cash work harder based on your short- and mid-term goals.
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• 6-Month or 5-Year CDs: Which Are Better in September 2025?
  Sep 12, 2025
  CD rates are likely dropping soon. Here's how to decide between a short-term 6-month CD or a 5-year commitment.
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• HYSA vs. CD: Where Should You Keep Your Cash in September 2025?
  Sep 11, 2025
  CD and high-yield savings rates are peaking. Here's how to decide where your cash can earn the most in September 2025.
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• How Much Money Could a Balance Transfer Save You? Here's the Math
  Sep 11, 2025
  Learn how much a balance transfer could save you in interest -- with real numbers and a quick way to find the right card.
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