Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 544 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 04-27-2026

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 What Happens When You Apply for Two Credit Cards on the Same Day
  Apr 21, 2026
  Applying for two credit cards in one day is more common than you think. Here's what actually happens to your credit score and approval odds.
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• The Average American Will Spend 21+ Years in Credit Card Debt if Only Making Minimum Payments
  Apr 21, 2026
  Making only minimum payments on $6,523 in credit card debt costs over $10,000 in interest and takes 21+ years to pay off. Here's how to …
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• Does Closing a Credit Card Really Hurt Your Score? Here's the Truth
  Apr 21, 2026
  A closed account in good standing stays on your credit report for 10 years. Here's what closing a card actually does to your score.
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• $3,000 a Year on Gas: This Is the Best Card for Your Commute
  Apr 21, 2026
  The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card earns 6% cash back in a chosen category for the first year -- no annual fee, plus …
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• Where to Invest in IPOs: 4 Best Brokers for IPO Access
  Apr 20, 2026
  Want in on the next big IPO? These brokers give everyday investors real access to IPO shares before they hit the open market.
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• Best Stock Brokers
  Apr 20, 2026
  Get expert advice from The Motley Fool on the best stock brokers for your investment needs. Don't miss out on these 10 best trading platforms …
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• Best Broker Bonuses
  Apr 20, 2026
  Brokerages often offer bonuses and promotions for opening a new account. Here are our picks for the best broker bonuses available now.
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• Best Credit Cards
  Apr 20, 2026
  Our team of experts reviewed the best credit cards to bring you our top picks for all scenarios: cash back, balance transfer, and more.
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• My Friend Is $1.2M 'House Poor' -- Here's What I Learned From Watching It Happen
  Apr 20, 2026
  Being house poor means your home owns you, not the other way around. Here's what I learned watching a high-earning friend get stuck in a …
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• Here's What Happens When You Add Your Spouse as an Authorized User
  Apr 20, 2026
  Adding a spouse as an authorized user to a credit card can boost both credit scores and simplify finances – but there are some risks …
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• Best Business Credit Cards
  Apr 19, 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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• Credit Card Debt After 60: What Your Options Actually Are
  Apr 19, 2026
  From balance transfer cards to retirement withdrawals, here's a practical breakdown of how to tackle high-interest debt in your 60s.
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• Here's Why You Should Never Book a Vacation Using a Flat-Rate Credit Card
  Apr 19, 2026
  Booking travel on a flat-rate cash back card can cost you hundreds in missed rewards. Here's what to use instead.
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• Get an APY Boost up to 4.10%: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, April 19, 2026
  Apr 19, 2026
  This online bank is offering one of the best boosted APYs I've seen in quite awhile. Here's how to land it, plus three other great …
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• 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.
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• 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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