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

• Here Are 3 Amex Platinum Perks Yoga Moms Love
  Nov 5, 2025
  Get a combined $900 in credits to brands like Lululemon, Oura, and Equinox, all included with the upgraded Amex Platinum Card.
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• Do You Have Too Much Money in Your Checking Account? 3 Red Flags to Watch in November 2025
  Nov 5, 2025
  Keeping too much cash in checking could cost you. Watch for these three red flags and make your money work harder this November.
  Read More
• 3 Upgraded 'Foodie' Perks of the Amex Platinum Card
  Nov 4, 2025
  From $400 in Resy dining credits to monthly Uber One savings, here's how the refreshed Amex Platinum upgraded its perks for food lovers.
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• Top Business Credit Card Offers Worth Checking Out This Week: Nov. 3, 2025
  Nov 3, 2025
  This week's top deals include limited-time bonuses, VIP travel perks, and flexible point programs built for business owners and entrepreneurs.
  Read More
• $5,000 in Debt? Here's How Much to Pay Monthly With a 0% Intro APR Card
  Nov 2, 2025
  If you've got $5,000 in credit card debt, a 0% intro APR card could be your way out. Here's how much to pay monthly -- …
  Read More
• Rates Are Falling, but I'm Still Earning 4% on My Savings -- Here's How
  Nov 2, 2025
  Fed rates are dropping, but smart savers can still earn 4% or more. See how HYSAs and CDs can protect your yield as APYs begin …
  Read More
• Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, Nov. 2, 2025: Snag up to $400 in Bonus Cash
  Nov 2, 2025
  This week's top bank bonuses can put hundreds in your pocket -- open an account, meet a few simple requirements, and enjoy real cash rewards, …
  Read More
• Rate Cuts Don't Scare Me. Why My HYSA Still Beats a CD
  Nov 1, 2025
  CDs lock in your rate, but a flexible HYSA still wins for me. Here's how I'm earning over 4% and staying nimble as the Fed …
  Read More
• How Much Will a $10,000 Credit Card Balance Transfer Cost?
  Nov 1, 2025
  Most balance transfers cost 3%-5%, so that's between $300 and $500 on a $10,000 transfer. Here's why that fee is small compared to potential interest …
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• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, Nov. 1, 2025: Unlock Massive Perks Before They're Gone
  Nov 1, 2025
  Big perks are on the table with this week's top credit card sign-up bonuses -- cash back, travel rewards, and more. Act fast before these …
  Read More
• 3 Things I'd Do With $10,000 Right Now
  Oct 31, 2025
  Here's exactly where I'd put $10,000 right now, from safe high-yield savings to long-term index investing and smart mid-term CDs.
  Read More
• 4 Things Millionaires Do With Every Paycheck
  Oct 31, 2025
  Millionaires pay themselves first, invest like robots, scale up with raises, and put every dollar to work its hardest. Here's how to adopt these habits.
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• If You Spend $500 a Month on Groceries, This Card Earns You the Most Cash Back
  Oct 31, 2025
  Get easy cash back on groceries, a welcome bonus, and waived annual fee for the first year with this Amex cash back card.
  Read More
• Are Balance Transfer Fees Worth It? Here's the Math
  Oct 31, 2025
  Most of the time, balance transfer fees are worth it. Here's how the math works, and the rare times when they don't make sense.
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• Want a $50K+ Credit Limit? Check Out These 2 Cards
  Oct 29, 2025
  Want a credit card with a $50K+ limit? These top cards offer high spending power, strong rewards, and room to grow with your credit.
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• I'm a Millionaire, but I Still Do These 5 Frugal Things
  Oct 28, 2025
  Here's why I still cut my own hair, wear decade-old clothes, and wash my own car even though I've crossed millionaire status.
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• Here's Why I Pay My Credit Card Bill Every Week
  Oct 28, 2025
  Paying your credit card bill every week might sound obsessive, but it can boost your credit score and help you avoid ever paying interest.
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• Here's How Much You Need to Save Each Month to Retire With $2 Million
  Oct 28, 2025
  Starting at age 30, you'd need to invest $968 every month to retire at 65 with $2 million. Here's how much you need if you …
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• 3 Easy Credit Habits That Could Add 50+ Points to Your Score
  Oct 28, 2025
  Learn how fixing credit report errors, always paying on time, and lowering your utilization can seriously improve your credit score.
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• Best Business Credit Card Offers Worth Grabbing This Week: Oct. 27, 2025
  Oct 27, 2025
  These business credit card offers bring big welcome bonuses, premium travel benefits, and flexible rewards for small business owners and side hustlers.
  Read More
• CDs in October 2025: Here's What $10,000 Can Earn You Right Now
  Oct 26, 2025
  Top 12-month CDs are still paying 4.00% APY in October 2025. Here's how much $10,000 could earn in interest, and why timing matters.
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• I've Earned Over $15,000 in Credit Card Rewards. Here's How
  Oct 26, 2025
  I've earned $15K+ in rewards by opening two to three cards a year, matching spend to perks, and playing two-player mode with my wife. Here's …
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• When It Actually Pays to Cash Out a CD Early
  Oct 26, 2025
  When rates rise, cash runs short, or better opportunities come up, breaking a CD early can actually make you more money.
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• Should You Split Your Debt Across Multiple Balance Transfer Cards?
  Oct 26, 2025
  Splitting debt across multiple balance transfer cards rarely helps and often adds risk. Here's why one solid balance transfer card usually wins.
  Read More
• Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, Oct. 26, 2025: Earn up to $400 in Easy Cash
  Oct 26, 2025
  This week's best bank bonuses can earn you hundreds -- just open an account, complete a few easy steps, and enjoy cash rewards with no …
  Read More