Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 329 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 11-21-2025

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 Got $5,000 Burning a Hole in My Pocket -- Here Are 3 Moves I'm Considering to Grow It
  Nov 15, 2025
  How I'm putting an unexpected $5,000 to work, from high-yield savings to long-term investing and low-risk growth options.
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, Nov. 15, 2025: A Limited-Time $250 Deal Inside
  Nov 15, 2025
  This week's best credit card sign-up bonuses bring major rewards -- cash back, travel perks, and more. Act fast, these limited-time offers won't last long.
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• Christmas Came Early for Travelers -- 100,000 Miles With Venture X
  Nov 14, 2025
  This holiday season, the Capital One Venture X is giving travelers a reason to celebrate. Check out this limited-time welcome offer on a solid travel …
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• The Best Travel Card Right Now? Venture X's 100K Miles Bonus Makes a Strong Case
  Nov 14, 2025
  With a boosted limited time offer, here's why this Capital One card might be the best all-around travel card for everyday people right now.
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• My Favorite Credit Card Bonus Is Back: Get a $250 Amazon Gift Card Instantly
  Nov 14, 2025
  The Prime Visa is bringing back its best-ever offer. Here's how to score an instant Amazon credit just for getting approved.
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• $300 Bonus + up to 4.30% APY -- This Bank's Doing Both Right Now
  Nov 14, 2025
  Get one of the highest APYs plus a cash bonus offer when you open this award winning high-yield savings account. Here's how the limited-time offer …
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• 2026 Contribution Limits Are Here: How Much You Can Save in Your 401(k) and IRA
  Nov 13, 2025
  The new 401(k) limit for 2026 contributions is $24,500, and the IRA limit has raised to $7,500 for savers under 50 years old.
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• What's the Best Cash Back Credit Card Now? My Pick for November 2025
  Nov 13, 2025
  Chase Freedom Unlimited offers up to 5% back, a welcome bonus, and an intro APR offer with no annual fee. Here's why it's my top …
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• The Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Rewards Card -- Here's Why It Won
  Nov 12, 2025
  This Wells Fargo Card just won our best no-annual-fee travel card award. Here's why it scored the top spot, and who it's best for.
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• 3 Chase Cards That Belong in Every Wallet
  Nov 12, 2025
  These three Chase credit cards give you high rewards rates across a broad spectrum of spending, with low or no annual fees.
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• The Prime Visa's $250 Gift Card Offer Is Back -- Here's Why It's Worth It
  Nov 12, 2025
  Amazon's Prime Visa is once again offering a $250 gift card instantly upon approval. Here's why this limited-time deal is a no-brainer.
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• Here's How Much You Can Make With $20,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account
  Nov 10, 2025
  With the right savings account, $20,000 can earn you hundreds in passive interest. Here's how much to expect, even if APYs drop.
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• The Wells Fargo Reflect Card Is Our Top Pick for Avoiding Interest Payments in 2025
  Nov 9, 2025
  This card has one of the longest intro APR offers available. Here's why it's our top pick for avoiding interest and breathing easier financially.
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• This Card Pays up to 6% on Feeding Gremlins (aka My Children)
  Nov 9, 2025
  If your kids eat like bottomless pits, this card earns serious rewards on groceries. Here's how to make the most of it, including a two-player …
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• Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, Nov. 9, 2025
  Nov 9, 2025
  Earn a few hundred dollars with this week's top bank bonuses -- just open an account, meet the requirements, and collect real cash rewards with …
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• Should You Open a 6-Month CD in November 2025?
  Nov 8, 2025
  CD rates are holding strong, despite the recent rate cuts. Here's why a 6-month CD could be a smart place to park your cash heading …
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• The Fed Cut Rates Again -- and I'm Still Earning Over $1,000 a Year in Interest
  Nov 8, 2025
  A few top savings accounts are still paying over 4.00% APY right now even after the Fed cut rates again. Here's how to find the …
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, Nov. 8, 2025: Don't Sleep on These Offers
  Nov 8, 2025
  Cash back, travel perks, and more -- this week's top credit card sign-up bonuses deliver major rewards. Don't wait, these limited-time deals end soon.
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• The Best Grocery Card if You're Feeding a Family of Four (and Spending $1,000+ a Month)
  Nov 7, 2025
  If your family grocery bill tops $1,000 per month, here's the card that earns the most cash back without hitting spending limits.
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• Cash Back Is My Love Language -- Here's the Card I Use
  Nov 7, 2025
  The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% back on everything, plus category bonuses for restaurants and travel.
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• Earn up to 4.30% APY -- Our Best Online Savings Account Pick
  Nov 7, 2025
  Earn up to 4.50% APY with SoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC). No account fees, no minimums, fast transfers -- an all-in-one banking hub that …
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• Our Experts Just Picked the Best Credit Card in America -- Here's the Winner
  Nov 7, 2025
  Our experts rated 260+ credit cards. This Wells Fargo card earned the best overall award for simple 2% cash rewards and $0 annual fee.
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• This Card Pays up to 6% Back on Milk and Toilet Paper
  Nov 7, 2025
  Save on everyday purchases with this top card for groceries. Here's how to maximize rewards, including a simple two-player trick.
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• If You Eat Out 2-3 Times a Week, This Card Can Earn You Hundreds
  Nov 6, 2025
  This Wells Fargo card just won our best card for dining out award category and can turn your restaurant spending into hundreds in rewards.
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• What NOT to Do With a 0% Intro APR Credit Card
  Nov 6, 2025
  A 0% intro APR credit card can be a financial blessing or a debt trap. Here's what to avoid so you actually get ahead, not …
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