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

• Ponce Bank CD Rates
  Oct 26, 2023
  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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• Capital One Venture X Business Review
  Sep 21, 2023
  The Capital One Venture X Business card offers premium travel perks and a huge welcome bonus -- see why it's a favorite among small business …
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• Motley Fool Money Newsroom
  Jul 18, 2023
  Get the latest personal finance data insights and connect with our personal finance experts in Motley Fool Money's Newsroom.
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• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
  Mar 22, 2022
  Explore the best business credit cards for travel. Maximize rewards, perks, and protection whether you're flying solo or managing employee spending.
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• What Does 0% APR Mean?
  Jan 31, 2022
  0% APR means you won't pay interest for a limited time. Here's how it works for credit cards, with examples on balance transfers and new …
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• Fidelity vs. Robinhood
  Jan 25, 2022
  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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• Quontic Bank CD Rates
  Sep 21, 2021
  Lock in high yields with Quontic CDs. Explore current offers, compare terms, and see if Quontic is right for your savings goals.
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• Best Stock Brokers
  Dec 28, 2020
  Get expert advice from The Motley Fool on the best stock brokers for your investment needs. Don't miss out on these 10 best trading platforms …
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• How Does a CD Work?
  Dec 21, 2020
  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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• Guide to CD Laddering
  Dec 21, 2020
  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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• A Complete Guide to Balance Transfers
  Dec 17, 2020
  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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• American Express National Bank Review
  Oct 30, 2020
  Read our full review of American Express National Bank (Member FDIC) to learn about its high-yield savings rates, fees, mobile app features, and more.
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• Chase Freedom Flex® Review
  Sep 16, 2020
  This no-annual-fee credit card offers big cash back on bonus categories, dining, and more. See why it's a top choice for everyday spending.
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• Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Review
  Sep 9, 2020
  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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• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review
  Jul 8, 2020
  Get simple, unlimited cash back with no annual fee. Read our full Chase Ink Business Unlimited review to see if it's the best card for …
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• Prime Visa Review
  Jul 25, 2018
  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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• Chase Ink Business Preferred Review
  Jul 24, 2018
  Earn 3x points on key business purchases and a massive welcome bonus with this small business credit card. See if it's right for your business.
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• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review
  Jul 24, 2018
  Learn how this no-fee business card can help you earn more on everyday expenses like office supplies, internet, and gas.
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• Best Gas & Groceries Cards
  Jul 24, 2018
  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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• Best Business Credit Cards
  Jul 23, 2018
  Compare the best business credit cards of 2025 for cash back, travel perks, and 0% intro APR offers. Find the perfect card to maximize your …
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• Fidelity Review
  Jul 23, 2018
  I've used Fidelity for over a decade and hold 11 accounts. Here's my honest review of the platform's best (and worst) features in 2025.
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• Merrill Edge Review
  Jul 21, 2018
  Merrill Edge offers $0 ATM fees, hands-on support, and powerful investing tools. Read our full review to see if it's the right broker for you.
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Jul 8, 2018
  Discover the best credit card bonuses to jumpstart your rewards journey. From travel to cash back, find the ideal card for your lifestyle and start …
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• Citi Simplicity Card Review
  Jul 6, 2018
  Citi Simplicity offers no annual fee and a 0% APR intro period -- perfect for paying off debt. Learn how this card works and if …
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• Citi Double Cash Review
  Jul 6, 2018
  Earn 2% back on every purchase with no annual fee. See why the Citi Double Cash card is a top pick in our in-depth Citi …
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