Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 372 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 01-06-2026

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

• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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 …
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Save $2,000: Boost Your Financial Well-Being by 21%, Says Vanguard
  May 31, 2025
  Even a small emergency fund can make a big difference. Here's why $2,000 is the magic number, and how to hit it quicker than you …
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• Here's How Much You Really Need to Save Each Month to Retire With $1 Million
  May 31, 2025
  See exactly how much you should save each month to hit $1 million by retirement -- and learn some strategies to make saving easier.
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• The No. 1 Mistake People Make With High-Yield Savings Accounts
  May 30, 2025
  Keeping too much in your high-yield savings account can hurt your long-term financial growth. Here's what to do with the extra cash.
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• These 3 Bills Should Never Go on a Debit Card
  May 30, 2025
  Using your debit card for travel, big purchases, or online shopping could cost you valuable rewards, as well as added fraud protection.
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• Here's What Most People Get Wrong About 0% Balance Transfers
  May 29, 2025
  A 0% intro APR balance transfer offer won't save you without sticking to a payoff plan -- here's how to actually crush debt instead of …
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• Here's How to Get Approved for a $50,000 Credit Card Limit
  May 28, 2025
  Using smart credit habits, you can strategically raise your credit limit over time to reach a $50,000 or higher limit. Here's how.
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• Quontic Bank CD Rates
  May 27, 2025
  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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• I'm on Track to Retire Early Thanks to This Simple Habit
  May 26, 2025
  Consistently investing a large chunk of each paycheck can fast-track your path to early retirement -- or help catch up if you're behind on savings.
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• 3 Little-Known Perks of Premium Credit Cards Most People Miss
  May 26, 2025
  Discover unexpected benefits of premium credit cards like massages before flights and VIP restaurant access. Here's how to unlock them.
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• How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt (Even If You're Overwhelmed)
  May 25, 2025
  Learn four practical ways to tackle your credit card debt, including balance transfer cards, budgeting tips, and where to get free help.
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• Why Every American Should Aim for at Least $19,800 in Savings in 2025
  May 25, 2025
  Experts recommend keeping three to six months of living expenses in cash. Here's why that means saving at least $19,800 in 2025 (and how to …
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• 5 Ways to Protect Your Money From a Recession
  May 24, 2025
  Here are some simple steps to recession-proof your money. Build a buffer, lock in high rates, cut unnecessary expenses, and reduce risky exposure.
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• The Sneaky Fee That's Hiding in Your Monthly Bills
  May 24, 2025
  Here's how to spot sneaky convenience and processing fees -- and how to use cash back cards to cancel them out.
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