Ryan Wilcox

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer | TMFRyanWilcox

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 214 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 12-23-2025

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

• 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
• 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
• Best Banking Apps
  Sep 9, 2024
  Want to make banking on the go easier? See our list of the best mobile banking apps to help you save and spend smarter.
  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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• 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
• Your Chase Savings Account Could Be Costing You a New Pair of AirPods Every Year. Here's How
  Aug 18, 2025
  Chase's savings account pays just 0.01% APY. See how switching to a high-yield savings account could get you hundreds of dollars more a year.
  Read More
• Here's Why Americans Are Moving Their Savings Out of Big Banks This Summer
  Aug 12, 2025
  Your big bank is probably paying you next to nothing in interest. Learn why Americans are switching to high-yield savings accounts.
  Read More
• Leaving $10,000 in a Chase Savings Account Could Cost You $400 a Year
  Aug 11, 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
• Want a Personal Loan? Get Prequalified Without Hurting Your Credit
  Aug 10, 2025
  Prequalification lets you see what kind of loan you might qualify for -- without impacting your credit score. Learn why it's a smart first step …
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• Keeping Your Savings in a Wells Fargo Account Could Cost You a Flight Every Year
  Aug 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
• Prequalified vs. Pre-Approved: Don't Mix These Up for Your Loan
  Aug 8, 2025
  Prequalification is a smart way to check out all your loan options -- without hurting your credit. See how it compares to pre-approval now.
  Read More
• 4 Reasons to Take Out a Personal Loan in 2025
  Aug 7, 2025
  Personal loans can help consolidate debt, cover emergencies, and finance large purchases. Learn when it makes sense to apply for one.
  Read More
• Rocket Money Promises to Make Budgeting Easy. Does It Deliver?
  Aug 5, 2025
  Rocket Money has a handful of great tools designed to help you save. Here's what you'll get for as low as $6 a month.
  Read More
• Balance Transfer or Personal Loan: Which Crushes Debt Faster?
  Aug 4, 2025
  Want to erase debt fast? Learn whether a balance transfer or personal loan will save you more today.
  Read More
• I Lost $700 a Year in Interest With My Wells Fargo Savings Account. Why I Finally Made the Switch
  Aug 3, 2025
  I moved my savings from Wells Fargo to SoFi, and now I'm earning hundreds more in interest each year. See how you can do the …
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• Is Rocket Money Worth Paying For? Here's What You Really Get
  Aug 2, 2025
  Rocket Money Premium costs as little as $6 a month. Here's a breakdown of what you get and whether it's worth the price.
  Read More
• 3 Little-Known Perks of Having a High Credit Score
  Aug 1, 2025
  A credit score of 750 or higher can save you serious money and unlock valuable financial perks. Here are three surprising benefits of excellent credit.
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• Want to Dump Your Debt? Here's When to Use a Balance Transfer vs. a Loan
  Jul 29, 2025
  Looking to erase debt fast? Here's when to use a balance transfer or a personal loan to save the most money possible.
  Read More
• 3 Signs You're Ready for a Premium Credit Card
  Jul 25, 2025
  Wondering if you can justify getting a premium credit card? Here are three signs you're ready to apply and make the most of its perks.
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• Why I Moved My Savings and Started Earning 10x More
  Jul 25, 2025
  Traditional savings accounts pay just 0.38% APY on average. Learn how switching to a high-yield savings account could earn you hundreds more each year.
  Read More
• Here's What Happens When Your Credit Score Reaches 850
  Jul 22, 2025
  Hitting an 850 credit score is impressive, but is it necessary? Learn what it means and how it can impact your life -- or not.
  Read More
• 3 Little‑Known Perks You Only Get With a High‑End Credit Card
  Jul 19, 2025
  These underrated premium card perks can save you hundreds on travel. See which high-end cards offer the best hidden benefits.
  Read More
• I Just Closed My Wells Fargo Bank Account for Good. Here's Why
  Jul 16, 2025
  I ditched Wells Fargo for SoFi to earn a $300 bonus and a higher APY. Here's how you can make the switch, too.
  Read More
• Here's How Much $20,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Right Now
  Jul 16, 2025
  A 6-month CD could earn you nearly $400 on a $20,000 deposit. Find out if it's worth locking in a rate now.
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• Ranked: The 3 Best Places to Put Your Money in July 2025
  Jul 16, 2025
  Looking to build wealth and avoid debt? Start with these three smart money moves you can make today.
  Read More