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

• Earn $250 Cash Back for a Limited Time: The Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses This Week, April 4, 2026
  Apr 4, 2026
  Right now, one of my favorite credit cards is offering an elevated limited-time cash back welcome bonus. Here's what to know, plus some other great …
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• Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
  Apr 2, 2026
  A 0% intro APR credit card can be a powerful tool for saving money. See our top picks for the best 0% intro APR credit …
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• Our Top Balance Transfer Card of April 2026: 0% Intro APR Until 2028
  Apr 2, 2026
  The Chase Slate® offers one of the longest 0% intro APR periods available in 2026 -- here's why it's our top balance transfer pick for …
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• 3% Back on a Category of Your Choice: The Best Business Credit Cards This Month, April 2026
  Apr 2, 2026
  Looking for big-time savings on business expenses? A top business credit card can help. Here are our favorite options available this month.
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• Raisin Review
  Apr 1, 2026
  Raisin connects savers with some of the highest yield savings products on the market. Learn how Raisin works and who it's good for in our …
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• The Top 3 High-Yield Savings Accounts of April 2026: APYs up to 4.21%
  Apr 1, 2026
  The best high-yield savings accounts still offer 4.00%+ APY in April 2026. Here are three worth comparing -- with no monthly fees and FDIC insurance.
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• 3 Top Cash Back Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: April 2026
  Apr 1, 2026
  Our top pick cash back cards worth applying for in April 2026, covering flat-rate, rotating category, and grocery rewards.
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• The Amex Platinum's Q2 Perks Just Dropped. Here's How to Get $175 on Lululemon and Dining
  Apr 1, 2026
  The Amex Platinum comes with quarterly credits for lululemon and dining that expire every 90 days. Here's what resets in Q2 and when to use …
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• Our 3 Favorite Balance Transfer Cards Offering up to 21 Months of 0% Intro APR Right Now
  Apr 1, 2026
  Carrying a balance at 22% APR? These top balance transfer cards can give you a huge window to pause interest, breathe, and pay off your …
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• Fool-Proof Your Finances in 2026: 7 Easy Money Tips Anyone Can Use
  Apr 1, 2026
  These simple money moves can protect you from your own worst impulses -- no April Fools jokes, these tips actually work.
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• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
  Mar 31, 2026
  Explore the best business credit cards for travel. Maximize rewards, perks, and protection whether you're flying solo or managing employee spending.
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• Chase Freedom Flex® Review
  Mar 30, 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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• Here's What 2% Cash Back Looks Like at Your Spending Level
  Mar 30, 2026
  A 2% flat-rate cash back card might be more powerful than you think -- and a lot less work than juggling multiple rewards cards. Here's …
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• Here's What Happens to $70 Billion of Unclaimed Money in the U.S.
  Mar 29, 2026
  About 1 in 7 Americans have unclaimed money or property waiting for them. Here's what it is, where it goes, and how to find out …
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• 4 Best Savings Accounts for Your Tax Refund
  Mar 27, 2026
  Got a tax refund coming? Put it somewhere it'll actually grow. We've rounded up the best high-yield savings accounts to help you make the most …
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• How to Find a Gas Credit Card That Actually Pays Off
  Mar 26, 2026
  Gas prices fluctuate, but your rewards don't have to. Here's how to find a gas credit card that actually saves you money in 2026.
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• 10 Financial Statistics of the Average American
  Mar 26, 2026
  How do your finances stack up? Here are 10 money stats on the average American's income, savings, debt, credit score, and more.
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• The 7 Fastest Ways People Ruin Their Finances
  Mar 26, 2026
  These seven money mistakes can wreck your finances -- from spending money you don't have yet to panic-selling investments at the worst possible time.
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• 3 Things to Do Right Now if Your Credit Card Debt Feels Unmanageable
  Mar 26, 2026
  Credit card debt feels unmanageable for millions of Americans. Here are three practical steps you can take right now to start getting it under control.
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• The Surprising Age When Income Usually Peaks
  Mar 25, 2026
  Most people assume income peaks in their 30s. ADP data on 110 million payroll records says otherwise. Here's what the wage lifecycle actually looks like.
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• Here's Exactly What Happens When You Call a Nonprofit Credit Counselor
  Mar 25, 2026
  Nonprofit credit counselors offer free, judgment-free help with debt. Here's what to expect on your first call -- and why it might be the best …
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• Are We Over-Optimizing Our Finances?
  Mar 25, 2026
  The 80/20 rule applies to personal finance too. Here's where optimization actually moves the needle -- and where it's just burning your time.
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• The Easiest Way to Earn $500+ a Year From Credit Cards
  Mar 24, 2026
  A no-annual-fee flat-rate cash back card can earn $500+ a year with zero strategy required. Here's how to maximize what you're already spending.
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• The Financial Advice That Sounds Right but Isn't
  Mar 24, 2026
  Some of the most common money tips are actually costing you. Here are the financial myths that sound smart but don't hold up.
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• Can't Get a 0% Intro APR Card? Here's the Next Best Thing
  Mar 24, 2026
  A personal loan for debt consolidation can beat a high credit card APR -- but your rate depends heavily on your credit score. Here's how …
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