Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 615 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 07-08-2026

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

• Here's What Banks Do With Your Income and Spending Data
  Apr 27, 2026
  Banks collect and share your financial data in ways most people don't realize. Here's exactly where it goes and who sees it.
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• 7 Money Habits That Feel Harmless but Cost You Thousands Over Time
  Apr 26, 2026
  Convenience apps and auto-renewing insurance can drain hundreds per year from your savings. Here are seven money habits that add up fast.
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• The Smartest Time to Apply for a New Credit Card (Most People Get This Wrong)
  Apr 26, 2026
  Timing a credit card application can mean the difference between a huge welcome offer and a wasted hard inquiry. Here's when the stars actually align.
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• What Happens When You Apply for Too Many Credit Cards in One Year
  Apr 25, 2026
  Applying for too many credit cards in a short window can hurt your credit score and raise red flags with lenders. Here's what actually happens.
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• 5 Things Your Credit Card Probably Covers That You're Paying for Separately
  Apr 24, 2026
  Many credit cards include hidden perks like cellphone protection, rental car insurance, and travel credits. Here's what you might already be paying for twice.
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• What 'Credit Utilization' Really Means -- and the Number You Should Never Cross
  Apr 24, 2026
  Credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. Here's what the ratio means, how to calculate yours, and how to keep it low.
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• Here's How Much the Average American Spends on Food Every Month (and One Savvy Way to Lower It)
  Apr 24, 2026
  Americans spend an average of $847 per month on food. The right rewards card can turn that everyday spending into real cash back year after …
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• Banks With No Overdraft Fees
  Apr 23, 2026
  Avoid costly surprises. Learn about five bank accounts with no overdraft fees -- including accounts we've tested and trust.
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• Here's What Happens When Your 0% Intro APR Period Ends and You Still Have a Balance
  Apr 23, 2026
  Carrying a balance when your 0% intro APR expires means interest hits immediately. Here's what to expect and how to protect yourself.
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• The Boring Strategy That Built My $1M Portfolio
  Apr 22, 2026
  Index fund investing is the backbone of my $1M+ portfolio. Here's how this simple strategy works and why I'm sticking with it.
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• Here's What Happens When You Apply for Two Credit Cards on the Same Day
  Apr 21, 2026
  Applying for two credit cards in one day is more common than you think. Here's what actually happens to your credit score and approval odds.
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• The Average American Will Spend 21+ Years in Credit Card Debt if Only Making Minimum Payments
  Apr 21, 2026
  Making only minimum payments on $6,523 in credit card debt costs over $10,000 in interest and takes 21+ years to pay off. Here's how to …
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• Does Closing a Credit Card Really Hurt Your Score? Here's the Truth
  Apr 21, 2026
  A closed account in good standing stays on your credit report for 10 years. Here's what closing a card actually does to your score.
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• Where to Invest in IPOs: 4 Best Brokers for IPO Access
  Apr 20, 2026
  Want in on the next big IPO? These brokers give everyday investors real access to IPO shares before they hit the open market.
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• My Friend Is $1.2M 'House Poor' -- Here's What I Learned From Watching It Happen
  Apr 20, 2026
  Being house poor means your home owns you, not the other way around. Here's what I learned watching a high-earning friend get stuck in a …
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• Here's What Happens When You Add Your Spouse as an Authorized User
  Apr 20, 2026
  Adding a spouse as an authorized user to a credit card can boost both credit scores and simplify finances – but there are some risks …
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• Credit Card Debt After 60: What Your Options Actually Are
  Apr 19, 2026
  From balance transfer cards to retirement withdrawals, here's a practical breakdown of how to tackle high-interest debt in your 60s.
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• Here's How to Downgrade Your Credit Card Without Losing Your Rewards
  Apr 18, 2026
  Downgrading a credit card lets you keep your rewards and credit history without paying an annual fee. Here's how to do it the right way.
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• Our Top 3 Brokerage Accounts to Invest Your Tax Refund in April 2026
  Apr 18, 2026
  These top-rated brokerage accounts have no monthly fees, no account minimums, and strong tools for new and experienced investors in 2026.
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• Here's What $50,000 in an S&P 500 Index Fund Would Be Worth Today if You'd Invested 10 Years Ago
  Apr 18, 2026
  A $50,000 investment in the S&P 500 10 years ago would be worth over $211,000 today. Here's what the historical data shows across 10, 20, …
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• American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card Review
  Apr 17, 2026
  The new Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card offers unlimited 2% cash back with no category limits. Is the annual fee worth it? We break …
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• Here's When a High-Yield Savings Account Stops Making Sense
  Apr 17, 2026
  A high-yield savings account isn't always the smartest move. Here are five situations where your money could be working harder somewhere else.
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• Best Gas & Groceries Cards
  Apr 16, 2026
  Some of our favorite gas and grocery credit cards offer up to 6% cash back, 0% intro APR offers, and other perks. Find out which …
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• SoFi vs. Ally
  Apr 16, 2026
  SoFi and Ally are two of the most popular online banks. I compare features, rates, and tools to help you figure out which one fits …
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• Trump Accounts for Kids: How Do They Work and Who Qualifies?
  Apr 15, 2026
  Trump Accounts give eligible kids a $1,000 government head start -- but the tax rules are complicated. Here's how they work and who actually qualifies.
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