Ryan Wilcox

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer | TMFRyanWilcox

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 306 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 10-15-2026

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

• Are CD Ladders Worth It in April 2026?
  Apr 5, 2026
  Want to earn more on your savings the easy way? Learn how a CD ladder works and how it can earn you serious cash this …
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• How Leaving Too Much Money in Savings Could Cost You $100K+
  Apr 2, 2026
  Learn how keeping too much money in savings can cost you $100,000 or more over time -- and where to put extra cash instead.
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• Want to Increase Your Credit Score? Here's How Much You Should Actually Use Your Card
  Apr 2, 2026
  Learn how much of your total credit you should be using to boost your credit score -- and when you're spending way too much.
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• I've Never Closed a Credit Card in My Life. Here's Why
  Apr 2, 2026
  There are plenty of good reasons -- other than nostalgia -- to keep your old credit cards open. Here's what to know.
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• Do You Even Need a Debit Card? The Truth in 2026
  Mar 28, 2026
  Learn whether you still need a debit card in 2026 -- and why credit cards and mobile wallets may be safer and more rewarding.
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• Here's How Much $20,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Opened Now
  Mar 25, 2026
  If you want to earn easy money on your savings, now might be the time to lock your money in a CD. Here's what to …
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• Capital One 360 Performance Savings Review
  Mar 24, 2026
  Earn a competitive APY while enjoying in-person branch access with Capital One's 360 Performance Savings account. Learn if it's right for you today.
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• 800 vs. 850 Credit Score: Is There Really Any Difference?
  Mar 24, 2026
  Learn whether an 800 vs. 850 credit score makes a real difference, and what benefits you actually get with each score.
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• Here's What Happens if Someone Opens a Credit Card in Your Name
  Mar 21, 2026
  Learn what happens if someone opens a credit card in your name and the steps to fix it fast and protect your credit.
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• Credit Cards With Cellphone Protection
  Mar 20, 2026
  Want to save on your next cellphone mishap? Find out which credit cards offer cellphone protection, how much they can save you, and which is …
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• Bad News for Citi Cardholders: Point Sharing Ends May 17
  Mar 17, 2026
  Citi's point-sharing feature is disappearing soon. Learn what the change means for cardholders, and what you may want to do before that happens.
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• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Review
  Mar 12, 2026
  This card gives me unlimited 2% cash rewards, no fees, and no hassle. Find out why the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has earned a …
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• Best Budgeting Apps
  Mar 11, 2026
  Want help tracking spending, managing bills, and building better money habits? Here are the best budgeting apps to try today.
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• Here's Why an 850 Credit Score Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be -- and What You Really Need
  Mar 10, 2026
  You don't need a perfect credit score to be financially stable -- or exceptional, for that matter. Here's a better number to aim for today.
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• 3 Perks of Having an 800+ Credit Score
  Mar 9, 2026
  Curious what a sky-high credit score can get you? Here's the rundown, plus a few tips on how to get there faster.
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• 5 Smarter Places to Keep Your Cash Than at Home
  Mar 7, 2026
  Keeping money at home isn't just risky -- it also earns you absolutely nothing. Here are five safer, more profitable options to look into now.
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• This Simple Change Could Raise Your Credit Score -- and Save You Money
  Mar 7, 2026
  Paying your credit card balance more regularly can have some great upsides you might not know about. Here's why it's worth doing now.
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• 4 Good Reasons to Keep a Credit Card Open for 10+ Years
  Mar 6, 2026
  Learn how keeping a credit card open for over a decade can help your credit score, maximize credit card rewards, and more.
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• Do Authorized Users Inherit Credit Card Debt?
  Feb 26, 2026
  Wondering what happens to credit card debt when someone passes away -- and who's responsible? Here's what to know.
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• Here's What Happens When You Deposit More Than $5,000 in Cash
  Feb 17, 2026
  Planning a big cash deposit? Here's what to know before you go -- and the transaction amount that triggers a government report.
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• Here's What Happens When You Keep a Credit Card Open for Over 10 Years
  Feb 16, 2026
  Looking to hold onto a credit card for years, or even decades? Here's what to know about what can happen when you do, good and …
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• Amex Blue Cash Everyday Review
  Feb 13, 2026
  Learn why the Amex Blue Cash Everyday is a great option for routine spending, offering strong cash back on groceries, gas, and online shopping for …
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• Don't Keep Cash at Home. Here Are 3 Dead Simple Places to Put It Instead
  Feb 13, 2026
  Looking for a better place to keep your cash than under the mattress? Here are three great ways to save while earning a solid return.
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• Here's What Happens When You Withdraw $5,000 From Your Bank Account
  Feb 10, 2026
  Withdrawing $5,000 might seem simple enough, but there are a few things to keep in mind before (and after) you do it. Here's what to …
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• The No. 1 Mistake People Make With High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Feb 9, 2026
  Once you've built up your emergency fund, a high-yield savings account might not be the best place for your extra cash. Here's where to put …
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