Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 544 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 05-01-2026

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

• The Quiet Way Banks Make Billions From Checking Accounts
  Mar 14, 2026
  Banks earn billions from checking accounts through fees and interest rate gaps. Here's how that works -- and how you can get a piece of …
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• Best Financial Advisors This Month, March 2026: Vetted Picks for Every Portfolio Size
  Mar 14, 2026
  This month's top financial advisors, ranked and reviewed. Find the right fit for your money goals and rest well knowing your investments are in good …
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• I Made $800 Last Year Just From My Savings Account
  Mar 14, 2026
  Last year my high-yield savings account earned over $800 in interest. Here's how the math worked and why it's one of the easiest money moves …
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• Why I'd Pick Stocks Over Real Estate if I Were Starting From Scratch
  Mar 13, 2026
  I owned seven rental properties by my early 30s. Here's why I sold most of them -- and why I'd put every dollar into index …
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• Your Savings Account Might Be Costing You Hundreds in 2026
  Mar 10, 2026
  Many savings accounts pay just 0.01% APY. High-yield savings accounts offer up to 4.00% APY with zero added risk. Here's what you could be earning.
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• Here's How Much $20,000 Would Earn in High-Yield Savings in 2026
  Mar 10, 2026
  A top high-yield savings account could earn you $800+ in a year if rates hold steady. Here's the math -- and how to make the …
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• Here's What Happens When You Keep a Credit Card Open Forever
  Mar 9, 2026
  People with 850 credit scores keep accounts open for 30 years on average. Here's what happens when you keep a credit card open forever -- …
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• I Retired Early and Then Went Back to Work. Here's Why I Have Zero Regrets
  Mar 8, 2026
  I hit financial independence in my 30s, quit my job, and eventually chose to return to work. Here's what that decision actually looked like in …
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• My Wife and I Have 8 Credit Cards Between Us. Here's Why That's Not Crazy
  Mar 8, 2026
  Having multiple credit cards isn't reckless -- it can be smart. Here's how to build a card setup that protects your credit and maximizes rewards.
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• 3 Ways to Get Rid of That Pesky $95 Annual Fee on Your Credit Card
  Mar 7, 2026
  Paying a $95 credit card annual fee you can't justify is a money leak. Here are three ways to get rid of it -- starting …
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• Here's the Average American's Credit Card Debt. How Do You Compare?
  Mar 7, 2026
  The average American carries $6,523 in credit card debt -- and it's rising. See how you compare by generation, plus ways to start paying it …
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• Trump Accounts Sound Great -- but Here's Why I'm Not Opening One for My Kids
  Mar 6, 2026
  My kids don't qualify for the $1,000 seed money and the tax benefits aren't that great. Here's why I'm sticking with UGMA accounts instead.
  Read More
• Here's What Happens When You Quit Using Credit Cards Cold Turkey
  Mar 6, 2026
  Going cash-only has real perks -- but your credit score may pay the price. Here's what to expect and how to protect old accounts.
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• 5 Things That Can Happen When You Charge $10,000+ on a Credit Card
  Mar 5, 2026
  Charging $10,000+ on a credit card? Here's what actually happens -- from credit score dips to big rewards wins -- and how to handle it …
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• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Review
  Mar 4, 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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• Capital One Venture X Business Review
  Mar 4, 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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• Here's What Happens to Your Authorized Users When You Pass Away
  Mar 4, 2026
  When a primary cardholder dies, authorized users should stop using the account immediately -- but they're not responsible for any outstanding debt.
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• America's Top 2026 Money Goal Is Eliminating Credit Card Debt -- Here's How to Speed It Up
  Mar 3, 2026
  37% of Americans want to pay off credit card debt in 2026. Here are three proven strategies to pay it off faster -- including one …
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• My Dumbest Investing Mistake Cost Me $154,858 -- Here's What I Learned
  Feb 28, 2026
  I thought I was being smart when I sold my shares for a quick profit. Turns out I left $154,858 on the table. Here's what …
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• Here's the Average 401(k) Balance by Age vs. What You Actually Need
  Feb 28, 2026
  Here's how the average 401(k) balance stacks up against what experts recommend -- broken down by generation, with tips to close the gap.
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• SoFi Active Investing Review
  Feb 27, 2026
  SoFi Active Investing is a favorite for stock brokers among our experts. Find out why it made the list in our full SoFi Active Investing …
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• Retirement Savings in Your 50s: Here's What 'On Track' Actually Looks Like
  Feb 27, 2026
  Here's what the benchmarks look like for ideal retirement savings at age 50 -- and what to do if you're behind.
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• Dear Wife, Here's What to Do With Our Money if I Die Early
  Feb 27, 2026
  If you manage the household finances and die unexpectedly, your spouse could be left scrambling. Here's a practical roadmap to help them take over without …
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• Forget Big Banks: Here's Why I Moved My Savings to an Online Bank
  Feb 27, 2026
  My old bank paid 0.01% APY on savings, and charged a monthly fee. Here's how switching earned thousands more -- with zero extra risk.
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• Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Review
  Feb 26, 2026
  Earn free Hilton stays faster with this hotel-branded card. Big welcome bonus, high earning rates, and automatic Gold elite status.
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