Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 609 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 07-03-2026

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

• I've Reviewed All the Best Cash Back Cards on the Market. This One Keeps Winning
  Jun 30, 2026
  The Chase Freedom Unlimited keeps sweeping our annual awards. Here's why I love it and why it stays at the top of the recommendations pile.
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• 3 Things People With Perfect Credit Scores Never Do
  Jun 30, 2026
  A perfect credit score comes down to autopay, low reported balances, and opening multiple accounts over time. See the three things high-score earners never do.
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• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
  Jun 29, 2026
  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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• Best Business Credit Cards
  Jun 29, 2026
  Compare the best business credit cards of 2026 for cash back, travel perks, and 0% intro APR offers. Find the perfect card to maximize your …
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• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
  Jun 29, 2026
  The Capital One Savor card earns bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and groceries. Find out all about it in this Capital One Savor review.
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• Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card Review
  Jun 29, 2026
  Enjoy 0% APR for 21 months with the Citi Diamond Preferred. Learn if it's the right move to save on interest and crush your debt.
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• Citi Simplicity® Card Review
  Jun 29, 2026
  Citi Simplicity offers no annual fee and a generous 0% APR intro period -- perfect for paying off debt. Learn how this card works and …
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• Get 100,000 Points With Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best Credit Card Bonuses This Week, June 27, 2026
  Jun 29, 2026
  Want to earn the highest bonus ever offered on the Chase Sapphire Preferred? If so, now's the time to apply. Here's what to know.
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• Here's How to Make $1,000 a Month in Interest
  Jun 29, 2026
  It takes about $300,000 at today's top rates to generate $1,000 per month in interest. Here's a breakdown at different rates and where to keep …
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• Why I Chose a Roth IRA Over a Traditional One
  Jun 29, 2026
  I'd rather pay taxes on my retirement savings now than guess at a higher rate later. That's the core reason I picked Roth over traditional …
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• Do I Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car?
  Jun 28, 2026
  No, you can rent a car with a debit card at most agencies. Here's what rental car companies require and why I still recommend using …
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• How Much Income Puts You in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Class?
  Jun 28, 2026
  The Census Bureau puts the top 20% of households above $175,700. But your bracket and your real financial class aren't the same thing -- here's …
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• Unlock up to 4.10% APY for 6 Months: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, June 28, 2026
  Jun 28, 2026
  One of our favorite high-yield savings accounts is offering a boosted APY for six months. Here's how to get it, plus three other great options.
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• What Bank Has the Best Free Checking Account in June 2026?
  Jun 27, 2026
  A free checking account should cost nothing to keep, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Here's the pick I'm recommending in 2026.
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• Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money Now
  Jun 27, 2026
  CDs lock your money up for a fixed rate, but a high-yield savings account can offer comparable yield without giving up access to your cash.
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• Citi Double Cash® Card Review
  Jun 26, 2026
  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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• Chase Sapphire Preferred's Highest Offer Ever: Best Credit Card Bonuses This Week, June 20, 2026
  Jun 26, 2026
  The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of my favorite travel cards out there, and it just got even better. Here's what to know and how …
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• Save Thousands With the Chase Sapphire Lineup: Best Credit Card Bonuses This Week, June 6, 2026
  Jun 26, 2026
  These two top Chase travel cards are offering some of the most valuable sign-up bonuses out there. Here's what to know -- and how you …
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• Here's the Credit Score You Need to Get the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card
  Jun 26, 2026
  The Chase Ink Business Unlimited has a rare limited-time welcome offer and no annual fee. Here's the credit score that gives you the strongest shot …
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• Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026
  Jun 26, 2026
  Cracking the top 20% of U.S. earners takes about $182,000 in 2026. Here's how income quintiles break down -- and why your bracket isn't what …
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• What's a Good APY for a Savings Account Right Now?
  Jun 25, 2026
  A good savings APY right now is 3.00% to 4.00%, well above the national average. Here's how to grade any rate you find in 2026.
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• Citi Simplicity® Card vs. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
  Jun 23, 2026
  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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• Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
  Jun 23, 2026
  Both of these balance transfer cards are good for paying off debt. But one gives you more breathing room while the other is focused on …
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• Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
  Jun 23, 2026
  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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• Amex Gold Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  Jun 23, 2026
  Amex Gold Card vs. Capital One Venture: we break down rewards, perks, and fees to help you pick the travel card that actually fits your …
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