Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 548 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 05-03-2026

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 Single Biggest Mistake People Make With Balance Transfer Cards
  Feb 6, 2026
  Treating 0% intro APR cards like free money is a common mistake. Here's how to use balance transfer cards the right way, and what to …
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• Here's Why You Desperately Need to Upgrade Your Savings Account in 2026
  Feb 5, 2026
  Most savings accounts pay terrible rates. Here's why upgrading to a high-yield option in 2026 could help you earn more, save faster, and skip the …
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• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Review
  Feb 4, 2026
  Learn about all the features, perks, and fees of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card and see if it's worth it for your wallet.
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• Here's How to Tell if Your Bank Account Is Ripping You Off
  Feb 4, 2026
  Many Americans are earning next to nothing on savings and paying monthly fees they don't need to. Here's how to spot if your bank is …
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• Here's What Happens When You Close a Credit Card With a High Limit
  Feb 4, 2026
  Closing a credit card with a high limit can drop your credit score. Here's how it affects your credit utilization, history, and what to do …
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• Chase Slate Review
  Feb 3, 2026
  The revamped Chase Slate® offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers, making it a top pick for debt payoff strategies.
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• The 4 Safest Places to Keep Your Cash in 2026
  Feb 3, 2026
  These safe cash storage options protect your principal, while still earning strong returns and offering easy access.
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• Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card Review
  Feb 2, 2026
  This no-annual-fee business credit card offers easy flat-rate rewards, a 0% intro APR offer, and flexibility designed to support growing businesses.
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• Here's What Happens When You Have Too Many Credit Cards
  Feb 1, 2026
  Carrying too many credit cards can hurt your credit score, cost you money, and make debt more likely. Here's what to watch for -- and …
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• Here's What Happens When You Don't Touch Your Bank Account for Years
  Feb 1, 2026
  If your bank account sits untouched too long, your money could wind up in your state's unclaimed funds database. Here's how to prevent that.
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• Here's Why You'll Probably Never Hit a 'Perfect' 850 Credit Score
  Feb 1, 2026
  Achieving a perfect 850 credit score takes decades. But you can copy the same habits and still get top loan rates and credit cards.
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• 4 Traits of Americans With a Perfect 850 Credit Score
  Jan 31, 2026
  People with top credit scores have multiple cards, keep utilization tiny, payments perfect, and their credit history strong over time.
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• CDs Are More Risky Than You Think. Here's Why
  Jan 31, 2026
  CDs feel safe, but they can limit your access, earnings, and financial freedom. Here's how to spot the risks before locking up your cash.
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• Here's What Happens When You Spend More Than $5,000 on Your Credit Card
  Jan 31, 2026
  Large credit card purchases can affect your score, trigger fraud alerts, or lead to debt. Learn how to handle them smartly and maximize rewards.
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• If You Withdraw $10,000, the Government Is Going to Know About It. Here's Why
  Jan 31, 2026
  The government tracks cash withdrawals over $10,000. Here's what triggers a report, what it means for you, and how to handle big withdrawals the smart …
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• Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity
  Jan 30, 2026
  You can't go wrong picking either Fidelity or Charles Schwab as a broker. Here's a quick overview of each and a fair comparison.
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• Here's What Happens When You Pay for Everything in Cash
  Jan 30, 2026
  Switching to a cash-only lifestyle might help you save more, but it also comes with surprising trade-offs that spark strong opinions.
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• Why People Stay in Terrible Savings Accounts Even When Rates Are High
  Jan 30, 2026
  Many savers earn 0.01% APY without realizing they're missing out. Here's why people stay in low-rate savings accounts, and how to make the switch simple.
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• Here's Why I Wouldn't Put $50,000 in CDs
  Jan 30, 2026
  CDs lock up your cash and limit your growth. Learn how much more $50K could earn elsewhere, and where I'd actually put my money.
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• 3 Unexpected Benefits of Choosing CDs Over Other Savings Accounts
  Jan 30, 2026
  CDs let you lock in a high interest rate, but there are other perks you might not know. Keep reading to learn why a CD …
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• The Most Valuable Credit Card Perk in 2026 Almost Everyone Ignores
  Jan 30, 2026
  0% intro APR cards can help you skip interest while you pay off debt or finance big purchases. See how to use this underrated perk …
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• Here's What Happens When You Switch From a Savings Account to CDs
  Jan 29, 2026
  CDs give you fixed returns, but locking up your cash can backfire. Here's how to know when it makes sense and when it doesn't.
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• SoFi Crypto Review
  Jan 27, 2026
  SoFi Crypto offers a beginner-friendly way to buy and sell crypto directly from your bank. Here's how it works, what it costs, and who it's …
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• Here's How Much $10,000 Could Earn in High-Yield Savings in 2026
  Jan 27, 2026
  Stashing $10,000 in the right savings account could earn you $360 a year or more. Here's how to get one of the highest APYs in …
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• Why I'm Not Opening Any CDs in 2026 -- Even With Rates Near 4%
  Jan 26, 2026
  Top CD rates are still hovering near 4%, offering a solid guaranteed rate on your cash for months or years. Find out why I'm staying …
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