Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 554 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 05-07-2026

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

• My Friend Built a $60,000 CD Ladder. Here's How Much It Pays Him Monthly
  Nov 18, 2025
  A $60,000 CD ladder sounds complex, but it's surprisingly simple. Here's how much my friend earns each month and how it works.
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• Safe Havens for $5K, $10K, and $25K in Today's Uncertain Market
  Nov 18, 2025
  Compare HYSAs, CDs, T-bills, and money market funds, and see how much you can earn on $5K - $25K today without taking risks.
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• 3 Best Accounts for Lazy Savers -- 4.00%+ APY and No Fees
  Nov 18, 2025
  Earn over 4.00% APY with no monthly fees. These are three lazy-saver accounts that work hard so you don't have to.
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• 4 Places to Put Your Money if You Don't Trust Banks
  Nov 18, 2025
  Consider fintech brokers, credit unions, U.S. Treasuries and prepaid debit apps as safe, smarter places to keep your cash growing.
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• Why 0% Intro APR Cards Fail for So Many People -- and How to Win Instead
  Nov 16, 2025
  Many people misuse 0% intro APR cards and rack up even more debt. Here's how to avoid the trap and actually come out ahead.
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• 4 Safe Ways to Earn 4%+ on Your Retirement Savings
  Nov 16, 2025
  HYSAs, CDs, annuities, and T-bills all offer 4.00%+ yields right now. These low-risk tools can help grow your retirement savings safely.
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• 2026 IRA Limit Increase: What It Means and How to Optimize It
  Nov 16, 2025
  The IRS increased IRA limits for 2026. Learn the new caps, income rules, and smart moves to make the most of your retirement contributions.
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• Here's How Much You Need to Save Each Month to Max Out Your 401(k) in 2026
  Nov 16, 2025
  You'll need to save about $2,042 per month to max out your 401(k) in 2026. Here's how the new contribution limits work and how to …
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• 3 Little-Known Perks of Having a Credit Score of 750+
  Nov 15, 2025
  A 750+ credit score unlocks more than just low APRs. Here are three underrated ways a great score can save you money and open financial …
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• I've Got $5,000 Burning a Hole in My Pocket -- Here Are 3 Moves I'm Considering to Grow It
  Nov 15, 2025
  How I'm putting an unexpected $5,000 to work, from high-yield savings to long-term investing and low-risk growth options.
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• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review
  Nov 13, 2025
  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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• 2026 Contribution Limits Are Here: How Much You Can Save in Your 401(k) and IRA
  Nov 13, 2025
  The new 401(k) limit for 2026 contributions is $24,500, and the IRA limit has raised to $7,500 for savers under 50 years old.
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• Here's How Much You Can Make With $20,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account
  Nov 10, 2025
  With the right savings account, $20,000 can earn you hundreds in passive interest. Here's how much to expect, even if APYs drop.
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• The Fed Cut Rates Again -- and I'm Still Earning Over $1,000 a Year in Interest
  Nov 8, 2025
  A few top savings accounts are still paying over 4.00% APY right now even after the Fed cut rates again. Here's how to find the …
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• What NOT to Do With a 0% Intro APR Credit Card
  Nov 7, 2025
  A 0% intro APR credit card can be a financial blessing or a debt trap. Here's what to avoid so you actually get ahead, not …
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• Do You Have Too Much Money in Your Checking Account? 3 Red Flags to Watch in November 2025
  Nov 5, 2025
  Keeping too much cash in checking could cost you. Watch for these three red flags and make your money work harder this November.
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• $5,000 in Debt? Here's How Much to Pay Monthly With a 0% Intro APR Card
  Nov 2, 2025
  If you've got $5,000 in credit card debt, a 0% intro APR card could be your way out. Here's how much to pay monthly -- …
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• Rates Are Falling, but I'm Still Earning 4% on My Savings -- Here's How
  Nov 2, 2025
  Fed rates are dropping, but smart savers can still earn 4% or more. See how HYSAs and CDs can protect your yield as APYs begin …
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• Rate Cuts Don't Scare Me. Why My HYSA Still Beats a CD
  Nov 1, 2025
  CDs lock in your rate, but a flexible HYSA still wins for me. Here's how I'm earning over 4% and staying nimble as the Fed …
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• How Much Will a $10,000 Credit Card Balance Transfer Cost?
  Nov 1, 2025
  Most balance transfers cost 3%-5%, so that's between $300 and $500 on a $10,000 transfer. Here's why that fee is small compared to potential interest …
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• 3 Things I'd Do With $10,000 Right Now
  Oct 31, 2025
  Here's exactly where I'd put $10,000 right now, from safe high-yield savings to long-term index investing and smart mid-term CDs.
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• 4 Things Millionaires Do With Every Paycheck
  Oct 31, 2025
  Millionaires pay themselves first, invest like robots, scale up with raises, and put every dollar to work its hardest. Here's how to adopt these habits.
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• Are Balance Transfer Fees Worth It? Here's the Math
  Oct 31, 2025
  Most of the time, balance transfer fees are worth it. Here's how the math works, and the rare times when they don't make sense.
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• Pros and Cons of High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Oct 29, 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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• I'm a Millionaire, but I Still Do These 5 Frugal Things
  Oct 28, 2025
  Here's why I still cut my own hair, wear decade-old clothes, and wash my own car even though I've crossed millionaire status.
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