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

• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
  Jul 8, 2026
  Discover the best credit card bonuses to jumpstart your rewards journey. From travel to cash back, find the ideal card for your lifestyle and start …
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• Can You Do a Balance Transfer More Than Once?
  Jul 7, 2026
  Yes, you can do a balance transfer more than once. But qualifying, transfer fees, and your credit limits all shape whether multiple balance transfers are …
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• Trump Accounts Just Launched. Can You Get a Free $1,000 for Your Child?
  Jul 7, 2026
  Trump Accounts are live as of July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who gets the $1,000, and what to do if your kid doesn't …
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• How Long Does It Actually Take to Pay Off $10,000 With a Balance Transfer Card?
  Jul 5, 2026
  A balance transfer card stops the interest and starts a clock. Learn how to set a monthly payment that clears $10,000 before the intro window …
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• These 10 States Pay the Most for Gas as Prices Remain Elevated
  Jul 4, 2026
  Drivers in high-mileage states spend the most on gas, not those with the priciest pumps. See the 10 states topping the list in 2026.
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• The 3 Smartest Ways to Withdraw $10,000+ From the Bank
  Jul 2, 2026
  Withdrawing $10,000 or more takes a little planning. ACH transfers, wire transfers, and cashier's checks differ on speed, cost, and safety.
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• My Wife and I Have $140,000 Each in Our Roth IRAs. Here's How
  Jul 1, 2026
  Maxing out a Roth IRA in 2026 takes around $625 a month. Here's how consistent contributions and index funds grew our balances into six figures.
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• You Might Not Believe How Much $5,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Now
  Jun 30, 2026
  A $5,000 deposit in a 6-month CD at today's top rates earns less than most people expect. Here's the real number -- and what to …
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• Here's How Much $10,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Now
  Jun 30, 2026
  See how much $10,000 earns in a 6-month CD with today's top APYs. Compare banks, rates, and promo terms to make the most of your …
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• My Friend Built a $60,000 CD Ladder. Here's How Much It Earns Monthly in 2026
  Jun 30, 2026
  A simple CD ladder strategy that pays monthly interest, keeps cash accessible, and locks in rates before they drop further.
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• Here's How Much $50,000 Would Earn in a 1-Year CD Right Now
  Jun 30, 2026
  A $50,000 CD earning 3.25% APY pays $1,625 in guaranteed interest in 12 months. See what today's best 1-year CD rates actually pay.
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• Here's When a CD Ladder Actually Makes Sense -- and When It Doesn't
  Jun 30, 2026
  A CD ladder can smooth out your rates and free up cash regularly -- but it's not the right move for everyone. Here's when it …
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• Here's Why a 1-Year CD Makes Sense Right Now
  Jun 30, 2026
  A 12-month CD can protect your savings from falling rates, offer guaranteed returns, and keep your money flexible. Here's why it's a smart move in …
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• Here's What Happens When You Cash Out a CD Before It Matures
  Jun 30, 2026
  Thinking of pulling money early from a CD? Here's what to expect when it comes to the penalty and smarter ways to stay flexible.
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• 3 Things People With Perfect Credit Scores Never Do
  Jun 30, 2026
  A perfect credit score comes down to autopay, low reported balances, and opening multiple accounts over time. See the three things high-score earners never do.
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• Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card Review
  Jun 29, 2026
  Enjoy 0% APR for 21 months with the Citi Diamond Preferred. Learn if it's the right move to save on interest and crush your debt.
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• Citi Simplicity® Card Review
  Jun 29, 2026
  Citi Simplicity offers no annual fee and a generous 0% APR intro period -- perfect for paying off debt. Learn how this card works and …
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• Here's How to Make $1,000 a Month in Interest
  Jun 29, 2026
  It takes about $300,000 at today's top rates to generate $1,000 per month in interest. Here's a breakdown at different rates and where to keep …
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• Why I Chose a Roth IRA Over a Traditional One
  Jun 29, 2026
  I'd rather pay taxes on my retirement savings now than guess at a higher rate later. That's the core reason I picked Roth over traditional …
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• Do I Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car?
  Jun 28, 2026
  No, you can rent a car with a debit card at most agencies. Here's what rental car companies require and why I still recommend using …
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• How Much Income Puts You in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Class?
  Jun 28, 2026
  The Census Bureau puts the top 20% of households above $175,700. But your bracket and your real financial class aren't the same thing -- here's …
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• What Bank Has the Best Free Checking Account in June 2026?
  Jun 27, 2026
  A free checking account should cost nothing to keep, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Here's the pick I'm recommending in 2026.
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• Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money Now
  Jun 27, 2026
  CDs lock your money up for a fixed rate, but a high-yield savings account can offer comparable yield without giving up access to your cash.
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• Citi Double Cash® Card Review
  Jun 26, 2026
  Earn 2% back on every purchase with no annual fee. See why the Citi Double Cash card is a top pick in our in-depth Citi …
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• Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026
  Jun 26, 2026
  Cracking the top 20% of U.S. earners takes about $182,000 in 2026. Here's how income quintiles break down -- and why your bracket isn't what …
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