Ryan Wilcox

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer | TMFRyanWilcox

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 187 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-24-2025

Past Experience

Content Writer, The Points Guy

Summary

Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.

Ryan's Recent Articles

• I'm Lazy With My Savings. Here's How I Still Rack Up $760 a Year in Interest
  Oct 24, 2025
  I opened a SoFi® savings account, and now I'm earning $760 a year in interest without doing a thing. Learn how you can do the …
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• No Interest for 21 Months: This Wells Fargo Card Is Our Favorite Way to Crush Debt
  Oct 24, 2025
  The Wells Fargo Reflect card comes with one of the longest intro APR periods on the market. Here's how easy it is to apply and …
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• I Hate Annual Fees. Here Are the 3 Credit Cards I Recommend to Everyone
  Oct 23, 2025
  Looking to cut down on annual fees? Learn how you can get tons of value out of these three inexpensive credit cards.
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• 3 Places You Should Never Use a Debit Card
  Oct 22, 2025
  Still using a debit card at restaurants? Here's why you shouldn't be -- and a better way to protect your money and rack up rewards.
  Read More
• Here's How Much You Can Make With $20,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account
  Oct 22, 2025
  A traditional savings account is one of the worst places to keep your money. Learn how much more you can make with a high-yield savings …
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• APYs up to 4.50%: The Best Way to Fight Inflation in 2025
  Oct 22, 2025
  Want an easy inflation-beater? Learn how these savings accounts from SoFi®, Barclays, and CIT can help you earn more on your cash today.
  Read More
• I Hate Cards With Annual Fees. Here's Why I'm Still Considering the New Amex Platinum
  Oct 21, 2025
  The Amex Platinum Card recently got its biggest update in years, and it's now more valuable than ever. Here's what you should know before applying.
  Read More
• Need a Break From Interest Payments? Here's Our Top 0% Intro APR Credit Card
  Oct 21, 2025
  The Wells Fargo Reflect comes with an intro APR offer lasting almost two years. Learn why it's our favorite balance transfer card out there.
  Read More
• 3 Reasons Not to Open a CD in October 2025, Even With Rates Around 4.00%
  Oct 20, 2025
  Yes, CD rates are hovering around 4.00% -- but there are better ways to grow (and protect) your money. Here are three places to look.
  Read More
• Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is Still My No. 1 Travel Card
  Oct 20, 2025
  The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more than $800 in first-year value. Here's why it's still my go-to travel card recommendation after all these years.
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• Had $25K in a Wells Fargo Savings Account for 5 Years? You Just Lost $5,000 in Interest
  Oct 20, 2025
  If you're saving money with Wells Fargo, you're missing out on hundreds or thousands a year in interest. Here's what to do about it.
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• Earn 2% on Everything: The Best Flat-Rate Credit Cards This Week, Oct. 20, 2025
  Oct 20, 2025
  The best flat-rate cash rewards cards can get you 2% back on everything you buy for no annual fee. See which one's right for you …
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• Here's Why I'm Skipping the Amex Platinum for This Travel Card Instead
  Oct 19, 2025
  The Amex Platinum is one of the most expensive credit cards on the market. Here's how you can get value from a much cheaper Chase …
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• It's 2025. Here's Why No One Should Still Have a Chase Savings Account
  Oct 18, 2025
  Chase savings accounts earn next to no interest. Here's why I'm telling everyone I know to open a high-yield savings account this year.
  Read More
• CD Ladders Made Easy: Here's a Simple Plan That Works
  Oct 18, 2025
  Want to earn more money the easy way? Learn how a CD ladder works and how it can supercharge your savings in 2025.
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• Why I'm Still Telling All My Friends to Ditch Their Chase Savings Accounts in 2025
  Oct 17, 2025
  Chase pays 0.01% and top savings accounts pay 4.00%+. Here's why I tell everyone to ditch Chase and earn hundreds more.
  Read More
• This Simple Credit Card Strategy Earned Me $750 in Cash Back Last Year
  Oct 17, 2025
  I earned more than $750 in cash back by pairing two cards for everyday spending. Here's the simple setup that made it happen.
  Read More
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: The Card That Can Pay You Back 8X Your Fee
  Oct 17, 2025
  Looking to land a top-tier travel card? Here's how the Chase Sapphire Preferred can deliver over $800 in first-year value.
  Read More
• Claiming Social Security Early vs. Working Longer: A Side-by-Side
  Oct 16, 2025
  Headed toward retirement age? Learn the pros and cons of claiming Social Security early compared to working longer now.
  Read More
• It Might Cost You $400 to Keep Your Cash in a Chase Savings Account
  Oct 16, 2025
  Chase pays 0.01%, but top savings accounts pay 4.00%+. Here's how switching banks could earn you hundreds more every year.
  Read More
• My 5 Favorite New Perks of the Updated Amex Platinum
  Oct 16, 2025
  The updated Amex Platinum offers more value than ever before. From hotel credits to Uber benefits, here are my five favorite perks from the recent …
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• Here's How I Could Make $1,300 in the Next 2 Years Just by Switching Banks
  Oct 15, 2025
  Big banks usually pay 0.01% and top online savings accounts pay 4.00%+. See how switching banks could earn you over $1,000 in two years.
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• I Review Bank Accounts for a Living. Here's Where I'd Put $10,000
  Oct 15, 2025
  In my opinion, SoFi® is the best place for your $10,000 -- or any other amount in savings. Here's why I'm telling everyone I know …
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• Should You Buy Stocks on E*TRADE in 2025?
  Oct 15, 2025
  E*TRADE stays a top broker in 2025, but new rivals offer key perks it lacks. Compare the best brokers before you invest.
  Read More
• Forget the Amex Platinum: This Is My Favorite Travel Card Now
  Oct 15, 2025
  Don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for a top travel card? Here's how you can get valuable perks from my favorite $95 card.
  Read More