Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 656 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-15-2026

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

• What Credit Score Do You Need for a Bank of America Business Credit Card?
  Oct 5, 2026
  You'll generally need good credit for a Bank of America business credit card -- and excellent credit for the top cards. Here's the breakdown.
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• Chase Freedom Rise Review
  Jun 16, 2026
  Earn cash back with $0 annual fee, easy approval odds, and more with the Chase Freedom Rise® card. Here's who this starter card is actually …
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• Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card Review
  Feb 2, 2026
  This no-annual-fee business credit card offers easy flat-rate rewards, a 0% intro APR offer, and flexibility designed to support growing businesses.
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• American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card Review
  Apr 17, 2026
  The new Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card offers unlimited 2% cash back with no category limits. Is the annual fee worth it? We break …
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• Low Intro APR for 15 Months and an Easy $200 Bonus With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
  Oct 5, 2026
  If your spending shifts month to month, here's how to turn everyday purchases into cash back without paying an annual fee.
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• The Best 5 Credit Cards to Have: My Picks for October 2026
  Oct 4, 2026
  My favorite credit cards across travel, gas, cash back, and balance transfers to match the right rewards to how you actually spend.
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• 0% Intro APR, Rewards, and No Annual Fee: 3 of the Best All-Around Cards of October 2026
  Oct 3, 2026
  A no-annual-fee card lets you earn without a yearly cost. See how three top options compare on cash back, travel value, and intro APR.
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• 3 Reasons the SoFi Checking and Savings Is Hands Down the Best Checking Account
  Oct 2, 2026
  SoFi bundles checking, savings, and investing into one account with no account fees, and it earned our 2026 Best Online Savings Account award.
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• Amex Business Gold Card Review
  Oct 1, 2026
  Here's everything you need to know about the Amex Business Gold Card -- rewards, statement credits, the welcome bonus offer, and whether it's worth it.
  Read More
• American Express® High Yield Savings vs. Ally vs. Marcus: Which One Is Actually Better for You?
  Oct 1, 2026
  See how these popular high-yield savings accounts compare on rate, features, and overall banking experience. Here's how to pick the right account for you.
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• American Express Is One of the Most Trusted Names in Banking -- Here's What That Means for Your Savings in 2026
  Oct 1, 2026
  American Express® High Yield Savings offers world class customer service, daily compounding interest, and convenient digital features. Here's what the means for your savings.
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• Best Joint High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Oct 1, 2026
  Compare the best joint high-yield savings accounts for 2026. Top picks for couples and partners with high APY, no monthly fees, and easy shared access.
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• American Express National Bank Review
  Oct 1, 2026
  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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• The 3 Best Savings Accounts for Your Grandma
  Oct 1, 2026
  Many retirees keep large cash balances, with low-rate traditional banks. Here are some simple ways to move that money into a trusted, higher-earning account.
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• 4 Little-Known Perks of the American Express® High Yield Savings Account Most People Overlook
  Oct 1, 2026
  Earn a competitive APY with no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and 24/7 customer support.
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• The Best Online Brokerages of October 2026: No Account Minimums and $0 Trades
  Oct 1, 2026
  Opening an online brokerage account takes minutes. Compare top brokers on apps, tools, support, and fees to find the right fit for how you invest.
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• Get 1.5% Back on All Purchases: The Best Business Credit Cards This Month, October 2026
  Oct 1, 2026
  Want to unlock 1.5% back on all purchases on your business credit card? Here's the pick worth looking at, plus a few other favorites available …
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• 4 Best Savings Accounts for Your Tax Refund
  Sep 30, 2026
  Got a tax refund coming? Put it somewhere it'll actually grow. We've rounded up the best high-yield savings accounts to help you make the most …
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• Here's What Happens When You Only Pay the Minimum on a $10,000 Credit Card Balance
  Sep 29, 2026
  Making only minimum payments can stretch a credit card balance past two decades and cost thousands in interest. See the real math and faster ways …
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• 3 Savings Accounts Absolutely Crushing the National Average APY in 2026
  Sep 28, 2026
  Leaving cash in a big-bank account can cost you hundreds a year. Here's how three online options compare and which saver each one fits.
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• Here's Why You'll Probably Never Hit a 'Perfect' 850 Credit Score
  Sep 28, 2026
  Reaching the very top of the credit scale takes decades of near-flawless habits, and most people get the same perks without ever getting there.
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• Here's What Happens When You Cash Out a CD Early
  Sep 27, 2026
  Withdrawing money from a certificate of deposit before it matures usually triggers a penalty that can eat into your interest and even your original deposit.
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• 3 Things People With Perfect Credit Scores Never Do
  Sep 27, 2026
  Pay on time, keep balances low, and don't run too thin on cards -- the highest credit scores come down to habits anyone can copy.
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• Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money in September 2026
  Sep 27, 2026
  Before you lock savings in a CD, it's worth knowing when a flexible savings account earns more and still lets you withdraw anytime.
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• Don't Keep Cash at Home. Here Are 3 Easy Places to Put It Instead
  Sep 26, 2026
  Money sitting in cash slowly loses value to inflation. Learn safe, flexible ways to earn interest on savings while keeping funds protected and easy to …
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