Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 531 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 04-24-2026

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

• Here's How to Downgrade Your Credit Card Without Losing Your Rewards
  Apr 18, 2026
  Downgrading a credit card lets you keep your rewards and credit history without paying an annual fee. Here's how to do it the right way.
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• Our Top 3 Brokerage Accounts to Invest Your Tax Refund in April 2026
  Apr 18, 2026
  These top-rated brokerage accounts have no monthly fees, no account minimums, and strong tools for new and experienced investors in 2026.
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• This Might Be the Most Practical Credit Card in America
  Apr 18, 2026
  A simple 2% cash rewards card with no annual fee and easy redemptions can deliver steady rewards on everyday spending.
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• Here's What $50,000 in an S&P 500 Index Fund Would Be Worth Today if You'd Invested 10 Years Ago
  Apr 18, 2026
  A $50,000 investment in the S&P 500 10 years ago would be worth over $211,000 today. Here's what the historical data shows across 10, 20, …
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• $250 Bonus Offer Ending Soon: The Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, April 18, 2026
  Apr 18, 2026
  My favorite cash back card is offering an elevated sign-up bonus until April 30 at 9 a.m. EST. Here's what to know -- plus four …
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• The 3 Best Credit Cards for First-Timers
  Apr 17, 2026
  Getting your first credit card? These three no-annual-fee picks cover credit levels from no credit history to good credit -- with real rewards from day …
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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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• Here's When a High-Yield Savings Account Stops Making Sense
  Apr 17, 2026
  A high-yield savings account isn't always the smartest move. Here are five situations where your money could be working harder somewhere else.
  Read More
• How to Earn $250 Toward Travel With This No-Annual-Fee Credit Card
  Apr 17, 2026
  The Bank of America Travel Rewards card earns unlimited 1.5x points with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and points that never expire.
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• The Amex Platinum's Best Perk Isn't the Lounge Access. It's This
  Apr 17, 2026
  The Amex Platinum offers a $600 hotel credit that's sometimes overlooked. Here's why it beats lounge access as the card's most reliable annual perk.
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• Best Gas & Groceries Cards
  Apr 16, 2026
  Some of our favorite gas and grocery credit cards offer up to 6% cash back, 0% intro APR offers, and other perks. Find out which …
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• SoFi vs. Ally
  Apr 16, 2026
  SoFi and Ally are two of the most popular online banks. I compare features, rates, and tools to help you figure out which one fits …
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Apr 16, 2026
  Discover the best credit card bonuses to jumpstart your rewards journey. From travel to cash back, find the ideal card for your lifestyle and start …
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• What 21 Months of 0% APR Is Actually Worth in Real Dollars
  Apr 16, 2026
  The average American carries $6,500+ in credit card debt. Here's exactly how much a 21-month 0% intro APR card can save you in real dollars.
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• Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access
  Apr 15, 2026
  Get ready to skip the terminal chaos. These are the best credit cards for airport lounge access this year, from budget-friendly to all-out luxury.
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• Trump Accounts for Kids: How Do They Work and Who Qualifies?
  Apr 15, 2026
  Trump Accounts give eligible kids a $1,000 government head start -- but the tax rules are complicated. Here's how they work and who actually qualifies.
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• Here's Why I Stopped Chasing the Highest Savings Rate
  Apr 15, 2026
  Moving your cash just to get the highest savings rate isn't always worth it. Here's why strings, rate drops, and marginal gains changed how I …
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• Your High-Yield Savings Account Is Probably Paying You Less Than It Did Last Year. Here's What to Do
  Apr 15, 2026
  Savings account rates have dropped over the past year. Learn how to spot the gap, compare today's top APYs, and decide if switching makes sense.
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• Best Credit Cards to Transfer Points
  Apr 14, 2026
  Want to get the most value from your rewards? Here are the best credit cards for transferring points to airline and hotel partners.
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• Best Travel Credit Cards
  Apr 14, 2026
  The best travel rewards credit cards can help you earn premium rewards and large sign-up bonuses while saving you money. Check out the top travel …
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• Our Top Cash Back Card of April 2026: Earn up to 6% Back
  Apr 14, 2026
  The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns high cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and on streaming, making it a top pick for everyday Americans
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• Here's What $500 a Month Invested in an S&P 500 Index Fund Could Look Like in 20 Years
  Apr 14, 2026
  Investing $500/month in an S&P 500 index fund could grow into serious wealth over 20 years. See the numbers across multiple return scenarios.
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• Our Favorite Balance Transfer Card if You Have Excellent Credit: April 2026
  Apr 14, 2026
  The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has one of the longest 0% intro APR windows for balance transfers, and no annual fee. It's our top pick …
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• The $179 Per Month Difference Between a 12-Month and 21-Month 0% Intro APR
  Apr 14, 2026
  Picking the right intro window isn't just about time -- it's about what you can actually afford to pay each month.
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• Best IRA Accounts
  Apr 13, 2026
  Looking for an IRA? Learn why our experts rank these accounts among the top and find the best IRA account for your needs here.
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