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

• 3 High-Yield Savings Accounts With Zero Monthly Fees in July 2026
  Jul 25, 2026
  Compare three high-yield savings accounts that charge no monthly fee, with rates from 3.00% to 4.00% APY and no balance minimums to earn them.
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• BankAmericard vs. Citi Diamond Preferred: Which 21-Month Intro APR Card Wins in July 2026?
  Jul 24, 2026
  How the BankAmericard and Citi Diamond Preferred compare on transfer fees, intro APR length, and which fits paying off debt vs. financing purchases.
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• Can Your Bank Actually Refuse to Let You Withdraw Your Own Money?
  Jul 24, 2026
  Banks delay or freeze withdrawals to clear checks, flag fraud, or honor court orders. The money stays yours, and most holds lift within days.
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• HYSA vs. CD in July 2026: Which One Pays More Right Now?
  Jul 24, 2026
  High-yield savings accounts and CDs pay nearly the same rates in mid-2026, so the better choice comes down to flexibility and where rates head next.
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• What the Chase 5/24 Rule Means and How It Affects Your Next Card Application
  Jul 24, 2026
  The Chase 5/24 rule blocks most new Chase card approvals when you've opened five or more cards in the past 24 months, no matter which …
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• Using a Debit Card in These 3 Places Could Be a Big Mistake
  Jul 23, 2026
  Booking travel, making big purchases, and using unknown card readers each expose debit card users to risks a credit card helps avoid.
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• The Balance Transfer Card That's Right for You Depends on One Thing: Your Debt Amount
  Jul 23, 2026
  A longer 0% intro APR period lowers the monthly payment needed on the same balance. Your debt amount decides how many months you should look …
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• Top 3 High-Yield Savings Accounts if You Have $10,000 to Save: July 2026
  Jul 23, 2026
  A look at high-yield savings accounts for a $10,000 balance, including who each one fits and what to weigh before you open.
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• Where to Buy Jersey Mike's IPO: 3 Best Brokers for JMKE Access
  Jul 23, 2026
  Jersey Mike's goes public July 30 on the NYSE under ticker JMKE. Here are three brokers where retail investors can register interest first.
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• How to Build a CD Ladder With $10,000 (and What You'd Earn Each Month)
  Jul 22, 2026
  Building a CD ladder means choosing terms, comparing rates, and planning each maturity. Here is a simple way to do it with $10,000.
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• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review
  Jul 21, 2026
  Get simple, unlimited cash back with no annual fee. Read our full Chase Ink Business Unlimited review to see if it's the best card for …
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• Nearly Half of Americans Make This Expensive Money Mistake Every Month
  Jul 21, 2026
  A low-interest savings account can cost you hundreds a year in interest you'll never notice missing. Here's how the loss adds up and how to …
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• 4 Reasons to Get Your Credit Score Above 800
  Jul 21, 2026
  An 800 credit score does more than look good. It cuts borrowing costs across loans and insurance, and gives your score room to breathe.
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• 3 Situations Where a High-Yield Savings Account is a Bad Idea
  Jul 21, 2026
  Credit card debt, long-term investing, and frequent transfers are three cases where a high-yield savings account is the wrong place for your money.
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• 3 Best Brokers for Investing in the S&P 500
  Jul 21, 2026
  Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and SoFi® lead the pack for S&P 500 investors, with low fees, no commissions, and easy index fund access.
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• You'll Probably Never Hit 850. Here's the Credit Score That Actually Gets You the Best Rates
  Jul 20, 2026
  The best loan terms and credit perks kick in around a credit score of 780, not a perfect 850. Here's the number to aim for …
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• Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back
  Jul 16, 2026
  Both the Discover it Chrome and Discover it Cash Back cards offer strong rewards with no annual fee, but here's how they compare on earnings, …
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• Is a Trump Account Worth It if Your Child Won't Get the Free $1,000?
  Jul 15, 2026
  Weighing a Trump Account's tax-advantaged head start against the flexibility of other custodial accounts for kids who miss the seed deposit.
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• Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access
  Jul 13, 2026
  Get ready to skip the terminal chaos. These are the best credit cards for airport lounge access this year, from budget-friendly to all-out luxury.
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• Is Cash Safer Than a Card?
  Jul 13, 2026
  A credit card is usually safer than cash for everyday spending because of fraud protection. Cash's only real edge is privacy.
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• What Happens to Your HYSA Rate When the Fed Cuts Rates?
  Jul 12, 2026
  When the Fed cuts rates, your savings APY usually falls too, but not instantly and not at every bank. Here's how the two are connected.
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• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
  Jul 10, 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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• A Complete Guide to Balance Transfers
  Jul 10, 2026
  Balance transfers can help you pay off credit card debt faster. Learn how they work, how much you can save, and what to avoid.
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• J.P. Morgan Investing Review
  Jul 9, 2026
  J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing allows unlimited trades with $0 commissions. Find out all the details in our full J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing review.
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• Will the Fed Cut Rates in July 2026? Here's What the Markets Say
  Jul 9, 2026
  A Fed rate cut isn't happening in July 2026. Here's why a hike is on the table instead, and what it means for your savings …
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