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

• From 7 Rental Properties to 1 Index Fund: My Simplified Investing Strategy
  Aug 25, 2025
  I'm selling my last rental and going all-in on index funds. Here's how this move simplified my finances -- and why I wish I did …
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• How I Made $798 More in Interest Just by Ditching My Old Bank
  Aug 24, 2025
  I switched to a high-yield savings account and made $798 more last year. Here's how you can boost your interest earnings, too.
  Read More
• My Company Gave Me $1,000 to Invest. Here's Exactly What I'm Doing With It
  Aug 24, 2025
  I was handed $1,000 to invest, no strings attached. Instead of chasing hot stocks, here's how I'm using it to build long-term wealth the boring …
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• Forget CDs: Here Are 3 Investments With Higher Growth
  Aug 20, 2025
  CDs are safe, but slow-growing. Find out about three alternative investments with higher growth potential that can supercharge your savings.
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• I Opened 4 Custodial Accounts for My Baby Nephews. Here's How Much They've Grown
  Aug 19, 2025
  Learn how I'm building wealth for the next generation with custodial brokerage accounts and simple investing strategies.
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• 4 Safe Ways to Earn 4%+ on Your Retirement Savings
  Aug 19, 2025
  Looking for safe ways to invest and preserve your retirement savings? These four options offer 4%+ yields without putting your money at major risk.
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• I Keep $25,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account -- Here's Why
  Aug 19, 2025
  See how I earn over $1,000 a year in interest by keeping $25,000 in a high-yield savings account, and how you can use one the …
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• 5 Ways to Create Passive Income Streams That Last Forever
  Aug 18, 2025
  These passive income streams can provide steady cash flow now and continue for decades. See how to build wealth for life.
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• What to Do if Your Credit Card Application Gets Denied
  Aug 18, 2025
  Got denied for a credit card? Here's how to bounce back, fix what went wrong, and improve your odds of approval next time.
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• My 9-Year-Old Nephew Has an $8,000 Investment Portfolio -- Here's How
  Aug 17, 2025
  Learn how I built an $8,000 custodial investment account for my nephew, and how it could grow into something much bigger over time.
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• My Credit Score Is 822. Here's Why Amex and Citi Denied My Credit Card Application
  Aug 16, 2025
  A perfect credit score doesn't guarantee approval. Here's why I got denied by Amex and Citi, and what you can learn from my experience.
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• 5 Reasons You Can Be Denied a Credit Card (Besides Your Credit Score)
  Aug 15, 2025
  Even with an excellent credit score, a lender can still reject you. Here are five other factors that might stand in your way.
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• 4 Traits of Americans With a Perfect 850 Credit Score
  Aug 14, 2025
  Only 1.54% of Americans have a perfect 850 credit score. Learn the main habits they share, and how using them can boost your own score.
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• 5 Places You Should Never Use a Debit Card
  Aug 12, 2025
  Debit cards lack the rewards and protection of credit cards. Learn when using one could cost you more than you think.
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• 5 Mistakes That Keep You Stuck in Economy Class Seats
  Aug 12, 2025
  
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• I Got Denied for 2 Credit Cards -- Even With an 820+ Credit Score. Here's Why
  Aug 11, 2025
  A perfect credit score isn't a golden ticket. Here's why I got rejected by Amex and Citi, and how you can avoid the same mistakes.
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• I Maxed Out Our Roth IRAs for 9 Years Straight. Here's What They're Worth Now
  Aug 11, 2025
  Contributing consistently to a Roth IRA boosted my retirement savings. Learn how you can easily start your own wealth-building journey, too.
  Read More
• Why I Sold 6 Rental Properties and Moved Everything to Index Funds
  Aug 10, 2025
  Real estate investments sounded great, but I swapped my rentals for index funds. Here's why I made the switch and what I learned.
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• 5 Habits of Travelers Who Always Fly Business Class
  Aug 9, 2025
  Want to fly business class without paying sky-high prices? Learn about these five smart travel habits that can help you upgrade your seat for less.
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• 3 Surprising Reasons You Can Be Denied a Credit Card, Even With an 800+ Credit Score
  Aug 6, 2025
  Even with a perfect credit score, you can still be denied a credit card. Find out why it can happen and how to bounce back.
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• The High-Yield Savings Trend Is Exploding -- Don't Miss Out
  Aug 1, 2025
  Some high-yield savings accounts are paying over 4.00% APY right now. See why this savings trend is exploding and how you can start earning more …
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• Why I'm Prioritizing My 401(k) Over Everything Else in 2025
  Jul 29, 2025
  This year I'm planning to max out my 401(k) contributions. Here's why it's the smartest, simplest investment move I can make right now.
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• How My $1,000 Bonus Could Grow Into $17,449 -- if I Invest It Right
  Jul 28, 2025
  I got a $1,000 investment bonus from work. Instead of chasing hot stocks for a quick win, I'm aiming for long-term growth with boring index …
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• I'm Cheating on My Bank and Making 3.90% APY on the Side
  Jul 24, 2025
  I still love my big bank -- but I've been secretly earning 3.90% APY in an online savings account. Here's how much extra that's made …
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• Revenge Saving Helped Me Save $10,000 -- Here's How
  Jul 21, 2025
  I saved $10,000 in just six months using a "revenge saving" mindset. Here's how it worked -- and how you can use it to change …
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