Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 614 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 07-07-2026

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

• I Didn't Open a Roth IRA Until 31. Here's What That Delay Really Cost
  Jun 8, 2026
  Opening a Roth IRA eight years earlier would have left me $280,000 richer today. Here are the current contribution limits and how to start now.
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• You Can Open a Brokerage Account in 10 Minutes. Here's How I Do It for Friends
  Jun 7, 2026
  Opening your first investment account takes less time than most people expect, with no minimum deposit and no monthly fees at most brokers.
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• A $444 Speeding Ticket Broke Me at 17. I've Kept a Cash Cushion Ever Since
  Jun 7, 2026
  A silly teenage mistake taught me to keep months of expenses in cash. Here is why a healthy emergency buffer beats scrambling when life surprises …
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• Americans Are Saving 53% Less Than They Were a Year Ago. Here's How to Make Every Dollar Count
  Jun 6, 2026
  With saving rates falling and prices still climbing, where you park your cash has become one of the few money moves still fully in your …
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• Pay No ATM Fees With These 3 High-Yield Banks
  Jun 4, 2026
  Skip ATM fees and earn more interest with these high-yield banks offering fee-free access and nationwide networks.
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• Best Chase Credit Cards
  Jun 3, 2026
  Discover the best Chase credit cards for travel, cash back, and business. Compare top picks, maximize rewards, and find the perfect card for your wallet.
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• 38% of $100K+ Earners Are Still Financially Stressed -- and Suze Orman Says It's Not About the Money
  Jun 1, 2026
  A bigger paycheck doesn't always mean less stress. Here's why so many high earners are still anxious about money -- and what actually helps.
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• How to Decide if a Credit Card's Annual Fee Is Worth It
  May 31, 2026
  Here's a practical framework for deciding if a credit card's annual fee pays off, plus a personal take on running the real math before applying.
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• 5 Reasons (Besides Rewards) to Buy Nearly Everything With a Credit Card
  May 30, 2026
  The bigger wins when using credit cards are fraud protection, purchase coverage, payment flexibility, dispute rights, and travel insurance.
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• Here's One Downside to a High-Yield Savings Account in 2026
  May 30, 2026
  High-yield savings APYs have drifted lower in 2026. Here's the one downside savers overlook -- and where to put long-term money instead.
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• Credit Card Debt Is the No. 1 Financial Stress of Every Generation. Here's How to Get Out of It
  May 29, 2026
  Money stress hits every generation, and credit card debt is one of the biggest drivers. Here are practical, proven ways to break the cycle and …
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• 3 (Perfectly Legal) Hacks to Improve Your Credit Score
  May 29, 2026
  Most credit score hacks are myths or shortcuts that don't work. These three are perfectly legal, free, and can actually move your score upwards.
  Read More
• The Trump Accounts App Just Launched. Here's How to Register Before the July 4 Rollout
  May 29, 2026
  The Trump Accounts app launched today. Here's how to download it, sign up your child, and who qualifies for the $1,000 Treasury contribution.
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• I Have a 4.25% Mortgage and Enough Cash to Pay It Off. Here's Why I'm Keeping the Debt
  May 28, 2026
  Not all debt is bad debt. Here's how I think about a low fixed-rate mortgage versus keeping that money invested for the next 20 years.
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• 3 Reasons Americans Can't Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 2026
  May 28, 2026
  Three big forces -- rising essentials, record household debt, and slowing wage growth -- are keeping most Americans living paycheck to paycheck in 2026.
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• Best Broker Bonuses
  May 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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• Best Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
  May 27, 2026
  These top-rated flat-rate credit cards offer up to 2% back on every purchase, plus welcome bonuses and 0% intro APRs.
  Read More
• Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders
  May 27, 2026
  Our experts reviewed countless refinance companies to come up with a list of the best mortgage refinance lenders. Check out our picks and find the …
  Read More
• Merrill Edge Review
  May 27, 2026
  Merrill Edge offers $0 ATM fees, hands-on support, and powerful investing tools. Read our full review to see if it's the right broker for you.
  Read More
• Here's How Much Your Savings Account Is Losing to Inflation Right Now -- and the Fix
  May 24, 2026
  Inflation jumped to 3.8% in April 2026 while most big-bank savings accounts pay just 0.01% APY. See exactly how much that gap costs you each …
  Read More
• Here's Why 'Credit Piggybacking' Can Sometimes Backfire -- and When It's Worth It
  May 23, 2026
  Adding someone as an authorized user can boost their credit score, but only in the right situations. Here's when credit piggybacking works and when it …
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• 56% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials Don't Have a 1-Month Emergency Fund. Here's Where to Start.
  May 23, 2026
  A new Motley Fool Money survey reveals most younger Americans lack emergency savings. Here's how to build a starter cushion without overhauling your life.
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• I Compared Paying Off $6,700 in Credit Card Debt vs. Investing in the S&P 500. Here's What the Math Says
  May 23, 2026
  Investing for the future is smart, but if you've got lingering credit card debt it's holding you back more than you realize. Here's why paying …
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• Trump Accounts Are Coming July 4. Here's How They Work, and Who Gets $1,000
  May 21, 2026
  Trump accounts launch July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who qualifies for the $1,000 federal seed money, and how families can use them to …
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• Here's Why the Best Balance Transfer Cards Have No Rewards Programs
  May 21, 2026
  No-rewards balance transfer cards beat the ones offering both 0% intro APR and cash back for most people in heavy debt – here's the math …
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