- Motley Fool Money Authors
- Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |
Expertise
Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans
NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 674 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 08-21-2026
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
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Our Favorite Balance Transfer Card if You Have Excellent Credit: August 2026
Aug 2, 2026
A long 0% intro APR window and a low transfer fee are what set the best balance transfer cards apart for people with excellent credit.
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Earn up to $1,200: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, August 2, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
If you've got a lot of money in the bank, a new savings account can reward you with up to $1,200 in cash. Here's how …
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3 Top No-Annual-Fee Cards You Can Apply for Right Now: August 2026
Aug 1, 2026
A look at how the best no-annual-fee cards stack up on flat-rate cash back, travel points, and balance transfer value.
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4 Best Brokers for Index Funds in August 2026
Aug 1, 2026
Not all brokers handle index funds the same way. Here's how the leading options compare on fees, fund selection, and ease of use.
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Our Top 0% Intro APR Card of August 2026: Pay No Interest for 21 Months
Aug 1, 2026
Paying cash for a big expense isn't always the smart move. A 0% intro APR credit card lets you spread the cost over time and …
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Save $1,750+ on Travel: Best Credit Card Bonuses This Week, August 1, 2026
Aug 1, 2026
This Amex card is offering one of the biggest welcome bonus offers I've ever seen. Find out what it's worth and how to qualify.
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Amex Business Platinum Card Review
Jul 30, 2026
The Amex Business Platinum Card packs VIP travel perks and statement credits. Here's an honest look at who should carry it, and who shouldn't.
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42 Months of 0% Intro APR: Is a Double Balance Transfer Worth It in July 2026?
Jul 30, 2026
A double balance transfer stacks two 0% intro APR cards to get up to 42 months interest-free. Here's who it helps, what it costs, and …
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Here's When Your High-Yield Savings Account Doesn't Make Sense
Jul 30, 2026
A high-yield savings account is a great tool, but not for every dollar. Here are four times your cash belongs somewhere else, and what to …
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How Much Does a 21-Month 0% Intro APR Card Actually Save You? We Did the Math for 5 Debt Amounts
Jul 30, 2026
A 0% intro APR card's real savings depend on your balance and the transfer fee. See what various debt amounts actually save once the fee …
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Should You Use Savings to Pay Off Credit Card Debt? Here's the Math
Jul 29, 2026
Your credit card charges far more than your savings earns. See when draining your emergency fund makes sense and when a balance transfer is smarter.
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Should You Roll Over Your 401(k) to an IRA?
Jul 29, 2026
Rolling a 401(k) into an IRA can mean lower fees and more investment choices, but a 401(k) offers protections worth weighing first.
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5 Benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card -- July 2026
Jul 29, 2026
Earn flat-rate miles, a strong welcome offer, and simple miles redemptions. See what makes the Capital One Venture Rewards Card a solid travel pick.
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The Difference Between 15-Month and 21-Month 0% Intro APR (in Real Dollars)
Jul 29, 2026
Shorter 0% intro APR windows can carry rewards you keep, while longer windows shrink your monthly payment. See how the right choice shifts with your …
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Best Stock Brokers
Jul 28, 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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Here's How Much More You'd Earn by Switching From Chase Savings to an HYSA
Jul 28, 2026
Compare what Chase Savings and a high-yield account pay on the same balance, plus which accounts are worth moving your money into.
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The Best Back-to-School Credit Cards for Every Kind of Shopper in 2026
Jul 28, 2026
See how to match a back-to-school credit card to the way you shop, from online cash back to travel rewards to interest-free financing on big …
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Best Broker Bonuses
Jul 27, 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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What Credit Score Do You Actually Need for the Best Balance Transfer Cards?
Jul 27, 2026
A good credit score typically gets you approved for the best balance transfer cards. A higher score earns a bigger limit, not a longer 0% …
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The 3 Most Trusted Banks for Your Savings in 2026, Ranked
Jul 27, 2026
How the most trusted banks protect your savings with FDIC insurance, strong rates, and no monthly fees, plus how to pick the right one.
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3 Easy Credit Card Welcome Offers for Back-to-School Shopping
Jul 27, 2026
The average American's back-to-school spending can cover most of a new card's minimum spend, turning school supplies into a cash or travel welcome offer.
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The Average American Savings Account Earns 0.38% APY -- Here's How Much That's Costing You
Jul 26, 2026
Most savings accounts pay almost nothing, and the lost interest adds up over time. A high-yield account can earn many times more on the same …
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How Much Interest Would $10,000 Earn in a High-Yield Savings Account This Year?
Jul 26, 2026
In a high-yield savings account paying around 4.00% APY, $10,000 earns about $400 a year, while a typical 0.01% account earns close to $1.
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How to Earn $200 Cash Back on Your Back-to-School Shopping
Jul 26, 2026
A new rewards card's welcome offer can turn back-to-school spending you'd do anyway into $200 cash back, as long as you pay the balance in …
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Unlock 4.10% APY for 6 Months: Best Bank Account Bonuses This Week, July 26, 2026
Jul 26, 2026
One of our favorite high-yield savings accounts out there is offering a boosted 4.10% APY for six months. Here's how to get it, plus some …
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