Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 652 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-14-2026

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

• Happen Bank Now Pays 4.20% APY on Savings -- 11X the National Average
  Sep 25, 2026
  Happen Bank's LevelUp Savings account has increased its APY to a level far above the average bank, though the top rate requires a $250 monthly …
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• These 0% Intro APR Cards Have No Balance Transfer Fees. Are They Worth It?
  Sep 25, 2026
  Credit cards with no balance transfer fees usually have a catch, which can make them not worth it. The real benefit comes from interest saved, …
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• Get a $500 Bonus and 3% Cash Back With This Bank of America Business Card
  Sep 24, 2026
  This $0 annual fee small business card pays extra cash back in the category where you already spend the most.
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• 4 Reasons You Should Actually Pull From Your Savings Account
  Sep 23, 2026
  A savings account is usually for emergencies, but here's when tapping it is actually the smartest financial move you can make.
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• Put $25,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account and Here's What 4.00% APY Does Over a Year
  Sep 23, 2026
  See how much $25,000 can grow in a high-yield savings account and why these accounts are the smartest place to store short-term savings.
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• Move $5,000 Into a High-Yield Savings Account and Here's What Happens
  Sep 23, 2026
  Here's how putting $5,000 into a high-yield savings account can earn you $200+ in interest over a year, while keeping it accessible and FDIC insured.
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• Safe Havens for $5K, $10K, and $25K in Today's Uncertain Market
  Sep 23, 2026
  Compare HYSAs, CDs, T-bills, and money market funds, and see how much you can earn on $5K - $25K today without taking risks.
  Read More
• 4 Places to Put Your Money if You Don't Trust Banks
  Sep 23, 2026
  Consider fintech brokers, credit unions, U.S. Treasuries and prepaid debit apps as safe, smarter places to keep your cash growing.
  Read More
• Put $25,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account and Here's What Happens
  Sep 23, 2026
  Find out how much $25,000 can earn in a high-yield savings account and why these accounts beat traditional banks for growing your cash.
  Read More
• How Many Bank Accounts Do You Really Need?
  Sep 23, 2026
  Learn a simple bank account setup that helps you save more, stay organized, and earn top interest while rates are high.
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• The Best HYSA if You're Starting With $0: No Minimum, No Monthly Fees
  Sep 23, 2026
  SoFi has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fees, which makes it easy to start building savings from scratch.
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• 3 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts With a Debit Card
  Sep 23, 2026
  Most high-yield savings accounts skip the debit card. See which accounts pay a top rate and still let you pull cash when you need it.
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• What Bank Has the Best Free Checking Account in June 2026?
  Sep 23, 2026
  A free checking account should cost nothing to keep, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Here's the pick I'm recommending in 2026.
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• These 3 Banks Pay the Highest Rates We've Seen in 2026
  Sep 23, 2026
  Earn a top-tier APY and skip the monthly fees with these top-rated bank accounts. Discover the best savings and checking bundles for your goals in …
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• The No. 1 Mistake People Make With High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Sep 23, 2026
  Keeping too much in your high-yield savings account can hurt your long-term financial growth. Here's what to do with the extra cash.
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• Still Banking Like It's 1998? Switch to These Modern High-Yield Accounts
  Sep 23, 2026
  Switch out of 1998-era banking. See why modern fintech platforms like SoFi® and LendingClub offer better tech, higher APYs, and fewer fees.
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• 3 Best Accounts for Lazy Savers -- 4.00%+ APY and No Fees
  Sep 23, 2026
  Earn over 4.00% APY with no monthly fees. These are three lazy-saver accounts that work hard so you don't have to.
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• Here's What Happens When the APY Changes on Your Savings Account
  Sep 23, 2026
  A shifting savings rate can mean more interest or less. Here's what actually changes, what stays safe, and how to keep earning a top rate.
  Read More
• Chase Freedom Flex® Review
  Sep 22, 2026
  This no-annual-fee credit card offers big cash back on bonus categories, dining, and more. See why it's a top choice for everyday spending.
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• Chase Freedom Flex Card Hikes Bonus to $250 and Drops Foreign Transaction Fees
  Sep 22, 2026
  A no-annual-fee cash back card drops foreign transaction fees and raises its welcome offer, with quarterly categories timed for holiday spending.
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• Happen Bank Just Raised Its Savings APY to 4.20% -- Here's What to Know
  Sep 22, 2026
  Online savings rates are climbing after the Federal Reserve's latest rate hike. Here's what a top-rated high-yield account means for your cash.
  Read More
• The One Business Card I'd Keep if I Could Only Have One in 2026
  Sep 22, 2026
  This no-annual-fee, flat-rate cash back card is best for busy owners who'd rather run their company than track reward categories all year.
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• Here's What Happens When You Open Too Many Credit Cards
  Sep 21, 2026
  Most Americans have one or two credit cards. Here's what changes when you open far more, and how to keep every account under control.
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• Have a Bank of America Business Checking Account? You Need to Apply for This Card
  Sep 21, 2026
  Bank of America's business loyalty program can boost cash back for owners who already bank with it, when paired with the right rewards card.
  Read More
• 63% of Credit Card Users Don't Pay Their Bills in Full Every Month. Here's What to Do if You're Behind
  Sep 20, 2026
  Falling behind on credit card debt is more common than you think. Here are the smartest ways to catch up, whether or not you qualify …
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