Ryan Wilcox

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer | TMFRyanWilcox

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 193 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-27-2025

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

• IRA vs. 401(k): Where Should You Invest First?
  Sep 26, 2025
  Deciding between an IRA and 401(k)? Compare contribution limits, investment options, and more to see which is right for you today.
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• If You Have More Than $5,000 in Savings, This Might Be the Best Bank Account for You
  Sep 25, 2025
  CIT Platinum Savings offers a sky-high APY on account balances of $5,000 or more. Here's why it's a great fit for anyone who keeps a …
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• What the Fed's Rate Cut Means for Personal Loan Rates
  Sep 24, 2025
  The Fed's recent rate cut could lead to lower rates on new loans, plus a great refinancing opportunity on existing ones. Here's what to know.
  Read More
• Keeping $10,000 in a Bank of America Savings Account? You Could Be Earning $380 More a Year
  Sep 22, 2025
  Bank of America savings accounts earn next to nothing in interest. Here's how easy it is to earn hundreds more with a high-yield savings account.
  Read More
• Bank of America's Savings Account Might Be the Worst Place for Your Money
  Sep 21, 2025
  Bank of America's standard savings rate is just 0.01% APY. Here's how to switch to a high-yield savings account and earn hundreds more in interest …
  Read More
• Here's Why September Could Be the Smartest Month to Open a CD
  Sep 20, 2025
  When interest rates drop, rates on high-yield savings accounts fall, too. Learn why now's the perfect time to lock your money in a CD.
  Read More
• If You're Parking More Than $25K in Your Savings Account, You're Doing It Wrong
  Sep 17, 2025
  Keeping more than a few months' worth of expenses in your savings account could cost you. Find out where you should put your cash instead.
  Read More
• This Could Be Your Last Chance to Lock in 4%-Plus CD Rates
  Sep 17, 2025
  Interest rates are expected to fall over the next several years. Now's the time to lock your money in a high-APY CD while you still …
  Read More
• Act Fast to Lock in a 4% CD Before the Fed Cuts Rates
  Sep 16, 2025
  If the Fed cuts rates later this week, CD rates will likely fall, too. Learn how to lock in a 4% CD now before it's …
  Read More
• Never Pay an Overdraft Fee Again With These 3 Banks
  Sep 15, 2025
  Tired of overdraft fees eating into your savings? Find out about three great banks that will help you avoid them.
  Read More
• New to the Stock Market? Here's the No. 1 Investing App I Recommend to Everyone
  Sep 14, 2025
  If you've never bought a stock in your life, fear not -- Robinhood's here to help. Learn why it's my favorite brokerage for beginners.
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• How I Could Make $1,300 in the Next 2 Years Just by Switching Banks
  Sep 12, 2025
  I just ditched Wells Fargo and its 0.01% APY. See how switching to a high-yield savings account could earn me more than $1,300 in the …
  Read More
• The $400 a Year Penalty of Keeping Your Cash in a Chase Savings Account
  Sep 12, 2025
  Leaving $10,000 in a Chase savings account means you could be missing out on $400 a year in interest. Learn how to earn more today.
  Read More
• Why I'm Telling All My Friends to Ditch Their Chase Savings Accounts This Year
  Sep 11, 2025
  Chase savings accounts earn next to no interest. Here's why I'm telling everyone to open high-yield savings accounts this year.
  Read More
• Should You Buy Stocks on E*TRADE?
  Sep 10, 2025
  E*TRADE is a good brokerage for both new and advanced investors, with no commission fees and an intuitive platform. Should you open an account today?
  Read More
• The Hidden Cost of a Wells Fargo Savings Account Could Be a Free Flight
  Sep 9, 2025
  Wells Fargo's savings account pays just 0.01% APY. See how switching to a high-yield savings account could earn you hundreds more per year.
  Read More
• Here's the Single Best Strategy for Investing in CDs When Rates Are About to Fall
  Sep 6, 2025
  Learn how building a CD ladder can help you maximize long-term earnings, even once interest rates start to fall.
  Read More
• Most Americans Are Getting Ripped Off by Their Bank -- Are You One of Them?
  Sep 4, 2025
  Learn how moving your savings out of a big bank could earn you hundreds of dollars a year in additional interest.
  Read More
• Should You Buy Stocks on Robinhood?
  Sep 4, 2025
  Looking to start investing? Learn the pros and cons of buying stocks on Robinhood to see if it's right for you.
  Read More
• Too Much Money in Savings? Here's How Much You Really Need
  Sep 2, 2025
  Keeping too much cash in your savings account could cost you. Learn how much you really need in the bank -- and where to put …
  Read More
• Kept $10K in a Wells Fargo Account for 5 Years? You Missed Out on Almost $2,000 in Interest
  Aug 31, 2025
  If you're keeping $10,000 in a Wells Fargo savings account, you're missing out on hundreds of dollars in interest a year. Learn how you can …
  Read More
• 3 Savings Accounts Crushing Wells Fargo on Interest Rates
  Aug 23, 2025
  Want to earn more than 0.01% on your savings? Here are three accounts that'll get you hundreds of times more in interest than Wells Fargo.
  Read More
• Retiring Soon? Here Are 4 Ways to Protect Your Savings From Market Drops
  Aug 22, 2025
  Looking to protect your nest egg as you head into retirement? Learn how HYSAs, CDs, T-bills, and fixed annuities can help.
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• Every $10K You Keep in a Chase Savings Account Costs You a New Pair of AirPods Every Year
  Aug 21, 2025
  Learn how moving $10,000 out of your Chase savings account can earn you hundreds of dollars more a year in interest.
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• Roth or Traditional IRA: Which Is Better in 2025?
  Aug 21, 2025
  Learn the key differences between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA to decide which type of retirement account is best for you.
  Read More