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

• Is a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA Better for You in 2026? Here's How to Decide
  Aug 22, 2026
  The choice really hinges on whether your tax rate will be higher now or in retirement, plus your age, income, and how each account is …
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• SoFi Active Investing Review
  Aug 21, 2026
  SoFi Active Investing is our pick for best beginner broker in 2026: $0 trades, $5 fractional shares, a 1% IRA match. Read the full review.
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• Best Chase Credit Cards
  Aug 21, 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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• Capital One Venture X Business Review
  Aug 20, 2026
  The Capital One Venture X Business card offers premium travel perks and a huge welcome bonus -- see why it's a favorite among small business …
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• The Biggest Reason I Chose a Roth IRA Has Nothing to Do With Taxes
  Aug 20, 2026
  The ability to pull your original contributions out penalty-free is an underrated perk that makes this retirement account easier to commit to.
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• Here's the Average Credit Card Debt for Your Age Group in 2026
  Aug 20, 2026
  Gen X carries the highest card balances of any generation. See where you land, what carrying a balance costs, and how to start cutting it …
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• What Savings Account Is Best for Retirement?
  Aug 20, 2026
  The best account for retirement depends on your stage. Here's where to grow your savings and where to park cash you'll spend soon.
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• Here's How Much a Roth IRA Could Be Worth if You Start Maxing It at 30
  Aug 19, 2026
  Maxing out a Roth IRA in your 30s can build a seven-figure, tax-free retirement fund, thanks to decades of compound growth.
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• E*TRADE Review
  Aug 18, 2026
  E*TRADE now offers fractional shares, crypto, and 0% index funds. Our 2026 review breaks down fees, tools, and who this Morgan Stanley broker fits.
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• Openbank High Yield Savings Review
  Aug 18, 2026
  Put your cash to work with Openbank's High Yield Savings: a top online rate, zero monthly fees, and FDIC insurance. Here's our full review.
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• Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier Review
  Aug 18, 2026
  Western Alliance Bank's High-Yield Savings Premier pays a competitive, above-average APY with no monthly fees. See who it's for, the $500 minimum, and more.
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• 30-Year T Bonds Jumped to 5.3%. Here's How to Buy Them Now
  Aug 18, 2026
  Long-term government bonds are paying more than they have in 19 years. Here's how to lock in a fixed rate -- the easy way and …
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• Gen Z Has the Lowest Credit Card Debt of Any Working Generation. Here's Why
  Aug 18, 2026
  Low credit limits, a preference for debit, and a shift to buy now, pay later all help explain why younger Americans carry less card debt.
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• Here's Why My Roth IRA Doubles as a Backup Emergency Fund
  Aug 18, 2026
  Contributions to a Roth retirement account can usually be withdrawn penalty-free, making it a surprisingly flexible savings tool.
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• Best Credit Cards for Home Improvement
  Aug 14, 2026
  Find the best credit cards for home improvement. Earn cash back on materials and labor, or finance big projects with a long 0% intro APR.
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• Have Too Many Credit Cards? Here's Which Ones You Should Cancel
  Aug 14, 2026
  Canceling a credit card can hurt your credit score if you time it wrong. Here's when to cancel a card and which ones to cut …
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• Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Review
  Aug 14, 2026
  The Wells Fargo Reflect Card pairs a long 0% intro APR with no annual fee -- but no rewards. See who it's best for and …
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• Can You Withdraw $5,000 From an ATM? Here's What Banks Actually Allow
  Aug 14, 2026
  Daily ATM limits and per-transaction caps decide how much cash you can pull in one trip, and both vary by bank and account type.
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• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
  Aug 11, 2026
  The Capital One Savor card earns bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and groceries. Find out all about it in this Capital One Savor review.
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• Here's How Much $10,000 Would Earn in a High-Yield Savings Account vs. a CD Right Now
  Aug 9, 2026
  Top savings accounts and CDs pay nearly the same on $10,000 right now, so there's little reason to lock your cash away in a CD.
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• How Much Should You Have in an Emergency Fund? Here's the Honest Answer by Income Level
  Aug 7, 2026
  Your emergency fund target is three to six months of expenses. See how much that is at every income level, plus when to aim low …
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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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• 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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• 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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• 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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