Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 329 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 11-21-2025

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

• Revenge Saving Helped Me Save $10,000 -- Here's How
  Jul 21, 2025
  I saved $10,000 in just six months using a "revenge saving" mindset. Here's how it worked -- and how you can use it to change …
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• Why Robinhood Is Still One of the Best Brokers for Beginners
  Jul 20, 2025
  Robinhood has its flaws, but for new investors looking to start small and grow long term, it remains one of the easiest platforms to get …
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• Should You Downgrade Your Chase Sapphire Reserve? Here's How to Decide
  Jul 18, 2025
  This premium travel card just got a big overhaul -- along with a huge fee increase. Here's how to tell if it's still worth it, …
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• How I Double My Net Worth Every 10 Years
  Jul 18, 2025
  Here's how I use index funds and a simple math rule to double my net worth every decade -- without doing anything fancy.
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• Should You Open a 6-Month CD in July 2025?
  Jul 14, 2025
  Here's why opening a 6-month CD in July 2025 could be a smart, low-risk move for savers -- and how to tell if it's the …
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• Here's What Really Happens When You Withdraw $10,000 From Your Bank Account
  Jul 14, 2025
  Thinking of taking out $10K in cash? Here's what to expect, how banks handle it, and why it might trigger some extra scrutiny.
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• Why I'm Not Opening Any CDs in July 2025 -- Even With Rates Over 4%
  Jul 14, 2025
  CD rates are still quite high, but I've got better places to park my money to meet my short-term and long-term money goals. Here's why …
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• What if You Invested Every Dollar You Spent on Subscriptions?
  Jul 12, 2025
  Could you cut some (or all) of your subscriptions and supercharge your savings instead? Here's how much the average person could earn by redirecting those …
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• This Personal Loan Mistake Could Cost You Thousands in 2025
  Jul 10, 2025
  Use this smarter strategy instead of a personal loan to avoid interest charges and potentially save thousands in 2025.
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• Forget CDs, Even With Rates Over 4%. Here's Where to Put Your Money Instead
  Jul 10, 2025
  CDs offer decent yields today, but there are better options for both short-term savings and long-term growth. Here's where to put your money instead.
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• The Hidden Costs of Personal Loans (and How to Avoid Them)
  Jul 9, 2025
  Personal loans can be helpful, but surprise fees can add up fast. Here's how to spot hidden costs and keep more money in your pocket.
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• Watch Out for These 4 Hidden Fees Lurking in Personal Loan Offers
  Jul 7, 2025
  Personal loans can be helpful, but hidden fees can sneak up on you. Here's how to spot them before they drain your wallet.
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• 7 Red Flags When Shopping for a Personal Loan Online
  Jul 7, 2025
  Watch out for these big red flags before accepting an online personal loan. Protect your money and avoid costly traps.
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• Saving Just $12 Per Day Can Make You Rich. Here's How
  Jul 6, 2025
  A small daily habit of saving and investing can snowball into $1 million or more. Here's how to put compound interest to work for you.
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• 5 Credit Card Myths That Could Hurt Your Score
  Jul 5, 2025
  Believing these common credit card myths could drag down your score. Learn the truth and build your credit the smart way.
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• I Just Moved a $10,000 Credit Limit From One Chase Card to Another in 60 Seconds
  Jul 5, 2025
  Chase now lets you move credit limits between cards instantly in the app, without a credit check. Here's how I did it in under a …
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• 4 Retirement Savings Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make
  Jul 2, 2025
  Simple changes today can lead to a stress-free retirement later. Here's how to avoid the biggest savings slip-ups.
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• Here's Why July Might Be a Smart Month to Lock in a Personal Loan
  Jul 2, 2025
  Interest rates and lending conditions may shift soon. Here's why locking in a personal loan in July could be a financially smart move.
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• Still Using a Debit Card for Travel? That Mistake Could Be Costing You Thousands
  Jun 29, 2025
  Using debit cards means missing out on valuable travel rewards, trip protections, and perks that save you hundreds (or even thousands).
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• 5 Ways I Practice Stealth Wealth (While Still Living Large)
  Jun 28, 2025
  Living rich doesn't have to look rich. Here are five real-life stealth wealth strategies that help me grow money while still enjoying life.
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• I'm a 'Super Saver.' Here's How I Saved $10K in 6 Months
  Jun 27, 2025
  My wife and I saved a cool $10K in six months with side hustles, no-spend weekends, and smart credit card rewards.
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• I've Got $25,000 in My HYSA. Is That Enough?
  Jun 26, 2025
  A high-yield savings account is a smart place to stash cash. But how much should you actually keep in there? Here's how to find your …
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• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Review
  Jun 24, 2025
  The new Sapphire Reserve for Business card offers premium travel perks, flexible rewards, and a massive intro bonus -- see if it's worth the high …
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• Do You Really Need $750K in Car Accident Coverage?
  Jun 22, 2025
  Car accidents can cost more than you think. Here's how much liability coverage you may actually need, and why skimping could leave you broke.
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• Here's the Average American's Car Insurance Premium. Are You Overpaying?
  Jun 20, 2025
  Find out how your car insurance premium stacks up against the national average, as well as the factors that go into deciding your rate.
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