James McClenathen

Editorial Strategist | TMFJammerz

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 213 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 12-20-2025

Summary

James McClenathen is a full-time Managing Editor and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, overseeing the production and quality of editorial content while also writing about credit cards, investing, and everyday money management. He has worked at The Motley Fool since 2012 and brings extensive experience as an editor, reporter, and finance expert. A graduate of the University of Michigan, James has spent more than a decade of his career helping readers make smarter financial decisions.

James's Recent Articles

• Here's How Much $10,000 Would Earn in Treasury Bonds
  Mar 7, 2025
  A $10,000 investment in recently auctioned T-bonds would earn $9,500 or more in interest. Read on to learn the basics of T-bonds before you invest.
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• Is $50,000 Too Much to Have in Savings?
  Mar 4, 2025
  Very few people need $50,000 or more in their savings accounts. Here's a simple way to put extra cash to work.
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• This Simple Trick Could Boost Your Credit Score Instantly
  Mar 3, 2025
  Making more frequent credit card payments may improve your credit score in ways you never expected. Find out how.
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• 3 Things People With Perfect Credit Scores Have in Common
  Mar 3, 2025
  Attaining a perfect credit score is difficult, but there's no "trick" to it. See how some Americans have done it -- and how you can, …
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• The 3 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Investing in CDs
  Mar 2, 2025
  Investing in CDs is simple and safe -- if you follow a few basic rules. Here are some big CD investing mistakes and how to …
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• Why Elon Musk and Other Billionaires Take Out Mortgages
  Mar 1, 2025
  Billionaires use mortgages to buy homes so they can keep as much money as possible in wealth-growing investments. Find out how regular people can do …
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• CDs vs. T-Bills: Where Should You Put Your Money Now?
  Mar 1, 2025
  CDs and T-bills are both safe ways to earn guaranteed interest. Read on to learn some key differences between the two.
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• How Much Money Does It Take to Be 'Rich'? Here's What the Numbers Say
  Feb 28, 2025
  No single number can tell you how wealthy you are, but net worth comes close. Find out the net worth of the wealthiest Americans and …
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• Forget CDs: You Could Lock in a 4.4% Yield for 10 Years
  Feb 25, 2025
  10-year Treasury notes offer a guaranteed yield of over 4%, but you need to understand them before you invest. Learn the essentials.
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• Should You Open a 5-Year CD in 2025?
  Feb 24, 2025
  Today's best 5-year CD rates look pretty tempting. But should you lock in a CD now or put your cash elsewhere? Find out here.
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• How Much Money Should Retirees Have in Cash?
  Feb 23, 2025
  Keeping one to two years' worth of expenses in cash allows retirees to cover near-term expenses and avoid selling investments at a loss. Read on …
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• A Simple Guide to Making Money With CDs
  Feb 23, 2025
  CD investing can be easy and lucrative with the right strategy. Find out how to earn high interest with little effort.
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• Have a Bank of America Savings Account? You're Probably Missing Out on $300-Plus a Year
  Feb 22, 2025
  Bank of America's savings account APYs are extremely low. See how you could earn hundreds more per year with a high-yield savings account.
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• Have Lots of Money in Your Checking Account? Here Are 3 Better Places to Keep Your Cash
  Feb 21, 2025
  Almost everybody needs a checking account, but keeping too much money in checking could cost you thousands. Here are three better ways to use extra …
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• Here's Why the Average American Should Have $19,800 or More in Savings
  Feb 21, 2025
  $19,800 is about how much the average American spends in three months. Here's why they should try to have that amount in savings.
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• Here's How You Could Save $1,000 or More in Credit Card Interest
  Feb 18, 2025
  If you have thousands of dollars in credit card debt, a balance transfer card could help you pay it off faster -- and save you …
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• The Average American Has This Much Debt. How Does Yours Compare?
  Feb 16, 2025
  The average American owes $105,056 across all types of debt -- but don't compare yourself to the average. Learn how to tell how healthy your …
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• 3 Good Reasons Not to Keep Money in a Savings Account
  Feb 16, 2025
  Everyone should have a savings account, but there are cases where you're better off putting your money somewhere else. Find out when this rule might …
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• This Banking Mistake Could Cost You Hundreds of Dollars a Year
  Feb 15, 2025
  Settling for a low savings account APY is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can make. Fortunately, it's easy to switch. Here's where to …
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• 3 Perks of Keeping a Credit Card Open for 10 Years
  Feb 14, 2025
  You can boost your credit score and enjoy some benefits of being a loyal customer. Here's how -- and how to decide when to close …
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• You Might Not Realize What Happens When You Max Out Your Credit Card
  Feb 14, 2025
  Maxing out your card can hurt your credit score, trigger penalties and high APRs, get your account closed, or there may be no consequences at …
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• Here's How Much Money You Should Have in Savings by 50. How Do You Compare?
  Feb 14, 2025
  Some experts recommend saving six times your salary by age 50, but the real answer is more complicated. Here's how to find your retirement number.
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• Here's How to Earn $10,000 With CDs
  Feb 14, 2025
  It's possible to earn $10,000 or more from the best CDs on the market. However, it will take a lot of money or a very …
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• Should You Buy CDs Before Interest Rates Drop Again?
  Feb 11, 2025
  Federal Reserve rate cuts likely won't make a huge difference for CD investors, and you may have better options. Find out why.
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• This Bank Offers a 10% APY Savings Account. Is It Legit?
  Feb 10, 2025
  Some banks offer very high APYs -- but only on a portion of your savings. See why those eye-popping interest rates may not be worth …
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