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

• The Average American's Retirement Number Is $1.26M. Mine's Double That
  May 7, 2025
  Americans now think they need $1.26 million on average to retire. Here's why I'm aiming for double that -- and how you can calculate your …
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• May 2025 Update: 3 Credit Score Perks Most People Don't Know About
  May 6, 2025
  Unlock cheaper insurance, lower security deposits, and premium rewards cards with a strong credit score. Here's how it pays to level up your credit.
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• The 4 Safest Places to Park Your Cash in May 2025
  May 5, 2025
  Worried about market volatility? Here are four safe places to put your cash in May 2025 and earn up to 4.50% APY with minimal risk.
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• The Top 3 CDs of May 2025: Up to 4.65% APY
  May 3, 2025
  Lock in high CD rates this May and earn up to 4.65% APY. These CDs can help grow your savings faster with safe, guaranteed returns.
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• CDs in May 2025: Here's What $10K Can Earn You This Year
  May 1, 2025
  Lock in a 4.55% APY on a 6-month CD in May 2025 and earn up to $225 on a $10,000 deposit -- just in time …
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• Retirees: Why Now Is the Time to Switch to a High-Yield Savings Account (April 2025)
  Apr 30, 2025
  It's time to ditch low interest rates and earn over 4% APY on your cash. Find out why switching to an HYSA is a no-brainer …
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• What Really Happens If You Deposit Over $10K in Cash Right Now?
  Apr 30, 2025
  Depositing $10,000 or more in cash? Here's what to expect, what banks report, and where to park your money to earn the most interest.
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• Don't Hide Cash at Home. Here Are 3 Places to Put It Instead
  Apr 29, 2025
  Hiding cash at home might feel sneaky and safe, but it's costing you. Here are three smarter places to stash short-term savings that actually grow …
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• Cashing Out a CD in April 2025? Avoid These 4 Costly Mistakes
  Apr 25, 2025
  When a CD matures, you have a short window of time to move your cash to another vehicle. Read on for four CD cash-out mistakes …
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• Here's the Median Down Payment on a Home in 2025
  Apr 21, 2025
  First-time home buyers put down a median of 9% last year, and 23% for repeat buyers. Learn more about lender requirements and savings tips.
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• The Only 3 Credit Cards You Really Need
  Apr 20, 2025
  Here's the only credit card setup you need: Keep your oldest card, add a top category card, and finish with a 2% catch-all for everything …
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• How I Used ChatGPT to Get a $50 Bank Fee Refunded
  Apr 19, 2025
  I was recently charged a fee by my bank and decided to do something about it. Find out how ChatGPT helped me get $50 refunded …
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• 3 Little-Known Perks of Having a Credit Score of 750 or Higher
  Apr 19, 2025
  A 750+ credit score doesn't just mean bragging rights -- it can unlock cheaper insurance, better job prospects, and access to top-tier credit rewards. Learn …
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• Why I'm Putting My $25,000 in an HYSA Instead of a CD
  Apr 15, 2025
  CDs are offering solid rates, but I'm sticking with my HYSA. Here's why I prefer flexibility and where I'm parking my $20,000-plus cash in an …
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• Best Credit Cards
  Feb 14, 2025
  Our team of experts reviewed the best credit cards to bring you our top picks for all scenarios: cash back, balance transfer, and more.
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• Pros and Cons of High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Jan 10, 2025
  Learn about all the goods and bads of high-yield savings accounts and how they work before deciding if you should open one.
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• Best Credit Cards for Transfer Points
  Sep 24, 2024
  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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• Banks With No Overdraft Fees
  Jun 25, 2024
  Avoid costly surprises. Learn about seven bank accounts with no overdraft fees -- including accounts we've tested and trust.
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• Citi Simplicity Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred
  Jun 21, 2024
  Trying to choose between Citi Simplicity and Citi Diamond Preferred? Here's a breakdown of fees, perks, and which card is better for your balance transfer …
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• Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X
  May 30, 2024
  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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• Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back
  May 29, 2024
  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, …
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• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Review
  May 29, 2024
  Learn about all the features, perks, and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card and see if it's worth it for your wallet.
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• Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity
  May 17, 2024
  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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• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
  May 17, 2024
  The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Amex Blue Cash Preferred both offer big value -- see which card gives you more savings and fits your …
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• SoFi vs. Chime
  Feb 26, 2024
  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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