Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 653 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-22-2026

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 Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
  May 27, 2026
  These top-rated flat-rate credit cards offer up to 2% back on every purchase, plus welcome bonuses and 0% intro APRs.
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• Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders
  May 27, 2026
  Our experts reviewed countless refinance companies to come up with a list of the best mortgage refinance lenders. Check out our picks and find the …
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• Merrill Edge Review
  May 27, 2026
  Merrill Edge offers $0 ATM fees, hands-on support, and powerful investing tools. Read our full review to see if it's the right broker for you.
  Read More
• Here's How Much Your Savings Account Is Losing to Inflation Right Now -- and the Fix
  May 24, 2026
  Inflation jumped to 3.8% in April 2026 while most big-bank savings accounts pay just 0.01% APY. See exactly how much that gap costs you each …
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• Here's Why 'Credit Piggybacking' Can Sometimes Backfire -- and When It's Worth It
  May 23, 2026
  Adding someone as an authorized user can boost their credit score, but only in the right situations. Here's when credit piggybacking works and when it …
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• 56% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials Don't Have a 1-Month Emergency Fund. Here's Where to Start.
  May 23, 2026
  A new Motley Fool Money survey reveals most younger Americans lack emergency savings. Here's how to build a starter cushion without overhauling your life.
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• I Compared Paying Off $6,700 in Credit Card Debt vs. Investing in the S&P 500. Here's What the Math Says
  May 23, 2026
  Investing for the future is smart, but if you've got lingering credit card debt it's holding you back more than you realize. Here's why paying …
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• Trump Accounts Are Coming July 4. Here's How They Work, and Who Gets $1,000
  May 21, 2026
  Trump accounts launch July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who qualifies for the $1,000 federal seed money, and how families can use them to …
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• Here's Why the Best Balance Transfer Cards Have No Rewards Programs
  May 21, 2026
  No-rewards balance transfer cards beat the ones offering both 0% intro APR and cash back for most people in heavy debt – here's the math …
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• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review
  May 20, 2026
  Learn how this no-annual-fee business card can help you earn more on everyday expenses like office supplies, internet, and gas.
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• Chase Ink Business Premier Review
  May 19, 2026
  The Chase Ink Business Premier® earns 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000+. Here's who it's built for -- and whether it's worth it.
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• Here's What 5 Years of Not Investing Has Cost You, in 2026 Dollars
  May 19, 2026
  Investors in the S&P 500 made huge gains over the past five years. Here's what you can still do today to start building long-term wealth.
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• Here's What Happens to Your Credit Score When You Close Your Oldest Credit Card
  May 17, 2026
  Closing your oldest credit card isn't the credit-score disaster most people fear. Two overlooked details explain why your real risk is somewhere else entirely.
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• 3 Reasons Not to Open a Balance Transfer Card in May 2026
  May 15, 2026
  A balance transfer card can save $1,000 in interest for the right person, but it isn't the perfect solution for every situation. Here's when to …
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• 'Save Three to Six Months of Expenses' -- What if That's Not Enough?
  May 14, 2026
  The three- to six-month emergency fund rule has been around for ages. Here's whether it still holds up, and how to figure out what you …
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• Citi Simplicity® Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
  May 13, 2026
  Compare two of the best 0% intro APR cards around. Here are the main differences and help deciding which one makes sense for your situation.
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• Airfare Is Up 15% -- Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It in 2026?
  May 13, 2026
  Airfare is up 15% in 2026 and average domestic tickets hit $570. Here's how to decide if a travel credit card is worth it for …
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• 5 Things People Get Wrong About Balance Transfers
  May 11, 2026
  A balance transfer can save you $1,000+ in interest -- but common mistakes can wipe out those savings. Here's what to watch out for before …
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• 3 Things to Do Before You Apply for a Balance Transfer Card
  May 10, 2026
  Avoid wasted hard inquiries and transfer fees that eat your savings. Here are three steps to take before applying for a balance transfer card.
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• Think You Need to Carry a Small Credit Card Balance Every Month? Here's Why That's a Myth
  May 8, 2026
  Carrying a credit card balance does not help your credit score. Here's what it actually costs you -- and what really builds credit over time.
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• Forget the Afterpay Card. Use This Instead.
  May 4, 2026
  The Afterpay card works anywhere Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted -- but it earns no rewards and doesn't build credit. Here's a smarter …
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• Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance
  Apr 30, 2026
  The best credit cards for rental car insurance offer primary coverage that can save you $30/day at the counter. Here are our top picks.
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• What 'Zelle' Actually Is -- and How It's Different From Venmo
  Apr 30, 2026
  Zelle and Venmo both send money fast, but they work very differently. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how each one works and when to use …
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• I've Never Paid Credit Card Interest. Here Are the 3 Rules I Live By
  Apr 28, 2026
  I've carried multiple credit cards for over a decade and never paid a dollar in interest. Here are the three rules that make it work.
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• What a Credit Card's 'Grace Period' Really Means
  Apr 28, 2026
  A credit card grace period is the window between your statement closing and your payment due date. Here's how it works and what happens if …
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