Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 652 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-24-2026

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

• Best Gas & Groceries Cards
  Apr 16, 2026
  Some of our favorite gas and grocery credit cards offer up to 6% cash back, 0% intro APR offers, and other perks. Find out which …
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• SoFi vs. Ally
  Apr 16, 2026
  SoFi and Ally are two of the most popular online banks. I compare features, rates, and tools to help you figure out which one fits …
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• Trump Accounts for Kids: How Do They Work and Who Qualifies?
  Apr 15, 2026
  Trump Accounts give eligible kids a $1,000 government head start -- but the tax rules are complicated. Here's how they work and who actually qualifies.
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• Here's Why I Stopped Chasing the Highest Savings Rate
  Apr 15, 2026
  Moving your cash just to get the highest savings rate isn't always worth it. Here's why strings, rate drops, and marginal gains changed how I …
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• Your High-Yield Savings Account Is Probably Paying You Less Than It Did Last Year. Here's What to Do
  Apr 15, 2026
  Savings account rates have dropped over the past year. Learn how to spot the gap, compare today's top APYs, and decide if switching makes sense.
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• Here's What $500 a Month Invested in an S&P 500 Index Fund Could Look Like in 20 Years
  Apr 14, 2026
  Investing $500/month in an S&P 500 index fund could grow into serious wealth over 20 years. See the numbers across multiple return scenarios.
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• Here's How to Ask Your Credit Card Company for a Retention Offer (and What to Say)
  Apr 13, 2026
  A retention offer can mean bonus points, a statement credit, or a waived annual fee. Here's how to ask your card issuer for one.
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• Here's What Happens When You Have Two Balance Transfer Cards at the Same Time
  Apr 12, 2026
  Learn what happens when you use two balance transfer cards at once, including the credit impact, transfer limits, and how much you can save.
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• 3 Types of Credit Cards That Are Almost Never Worth It
  Apr 11, 2026
  Find out which credit card types to avoid and what to look for in a card that actually works for you.
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• Americans Say They Need $1.46 Million to Retire -- Here's What It Actually Buys You
  Apr 10, 2026
  Learn how much Americans say they need to retire comfortably, what that generates in monthly income, and whether it's actually enough.
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• Prime Visa Review
  Apr 6, 2026
  Here's my honest review of the Prime Visa credit card. Learn how the rewards work, how to qualify, and whether it's a good fit for …
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• Fool-Proof Your Finances in 2026: 7 Easy Money Tips Anyone Can Use
  Apr 1, 2026
  These simple money moves can protect you from your own worst impulses -- no April Fools jokes, these tips actually work.
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• Here's What 2% Cash Back Looks Like at Your Spending Level
  Mar 30, 2026
  A 2% flat-rate cash back card might be more powerful than you think -- and a lot less work than juggling multiple rewards cards. Here's …
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• Here's What Happens to $70 Billion of Unclaimed Money in the U.S.
  Mar 29, 2026
  About 1 in 7 Americans have unclaimed money or property waiting for them. Here's what it is, where it goes, and how to find out …
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• How to Find a Gas Credit Card That Actually Pays Off
  Mar 26, 2026
  Gas prices fluctuate, but your rewards don't have to. Here's how to find a gas credit card that actually saves you money in 2026.
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• 10 Financial Statistics of the Average American
  Mar 26, 2026
  How do your finances stack up? Here are 10 money stats on the average American's income, savings, debt, credit score, and more.
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• The 7 Fastest Ways People Ruin Their Finances
  Mar 26, 2026
  These seven money mistakes can wreck your finances -- from spending money you don't have yet to panic-selling investments at the worst possible time.
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• 3 Things to Do Right Now if Your Credit Card Debt Feels Unmanageable
  Mar 26, 2026
  Credit card debt feels unmanageable for millions of Americans. Here are three practical steps you can take right now to start getting it under control.
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• The Surprising Age When Income Usually Peaks
  Mar 25, 2026
  Most people assume income peaks in their 30s. ADP data on 110 million payroll records says otherwise. Here's what the wage lifecycle actually looks like.
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• Here's Exactly What Happens When You Call a Nonprofit Credit Counselor
  Mar 25, 2026
  Nonprofit credit counselors offer free, judgment-free help with debt. Here's what to expect on your first call -- and why it might be the best …
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• Are We Over-Optimizing Our Finances?
  Mar 25, 2026
  The 80/20 rule applies to personal finance too. Here's where optimization actually moves the needle -- and where it's just burning your time.
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• The Easiest Way to Earn $500+ a Year From Credit Cards
  Mar 24, 2026
  A no-annual-fee flat-rate cash back card can earn $500+ a year with zero strategy required. Here's how to maximize what you're already spending.
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• The Financial Advice That Sounds Right but Isn't
  Mar 24, 2026
  Some of the most common money tips are actually costing you. Here are the financial myths that sound smart but don't hold up.
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• Can't Get a 0% Intro APR Card? Here's the Next Best Thing
  Mar 24, 2026
  A personal loan for debt consolidation can beat a high credit card APR -- but your rate depends heavily on your credit score. Here's how …
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• Best Mortgage Lenders
  Mar 23, 2026
  Best rated mortgage lenders & expert reviews; compare the best home loan lenders for purchase, refinancing, VA, FHA, USDA, jumbo loans & first-time home buyers.
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