Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 368 | LAST PUBLISH DATE: 12-19-2025

Past Experience

Writer & Editor, How To Money
Resident Blogger, Budgets Are Sexy

Summary

Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.

Joel's Recent Articles

• 7 Credit Score Myths You Can't Afford to Believe
  Sep 1, 2025
  Don't let common credit myths tank your finances. Here are the biggest misconceptions about credit scores, and the truth you need to know.
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• Why I Keep as Little Money as Possible in My Checking Account
  Sep 1, 2025
  My checking account used to be stuffed to the brim -- now I intentionally keep the balance low. Here's how I changed my mindset around …
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• I Write About Credit Cards for a Living. Here's How I Earn $1,300+ in Rewards Each Year
  Aug 31, 2025
  Every dollar I spend goes on a rewards card, and I open new cards strategically to rack up over $1,300 per year. Here's how I …
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• Are No-Penalty CDs Worth It?
  Aug 30, 2025
  No-penalty CDs offer fixed yields and early access to your cash. Here's when they make sense, and when you might want to stick with an …
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• Why I Keep Over $500,000 in a Single Index Fund
  Aug 30, 2025
  One index fund holds a huge chunk of my net worth. Here's why that's not nearly as risky as it sounds.
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• 9 Frugal Hacks I Learned From Millionaires
  Aug 29, 2025
  These frugal habits aren't about cutting coupons. Here are some ways millionaires I know keep more money in their pocket and grow big wealth.
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• Stop Hoarding Credit Card Points: Here's How to Transfer Them for Bucket-List Travel
  Aug 29, 2025
  Millions of points go unused every year. Here's how to transfer your credit card rewards for high-value business class travel instead.
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• Had $25K in a Bank of America Savings Account for 5 Years? You Just Lost $5,000 in Interest
  Aug 29, 2025
  Keeping your savings in a low-interest account could be costing you thousands. Here's how to earn more with a smarter savings strategy.
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• I Write About APYs for a Living. Here's How I Earned $798 in Interest Last Year
  Aug 28, 2025
  Most people ignore APYs, but they can make a huge difference on your savings. Here's how I made $798 last year with zero risk.
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• Here's Why Your Checking Account Should Contain as Little Money as Possible
  Aug 27, 2025
  Keeping a big balance in your checking account feels safe, but it's costing you. Here's why you should keep it lean and move extra cash …
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• SoFi vs. Chime
  Aug 26, 2025
  Let's compare fees, features, apps, and support for SoFi and Chime, to help you pick the best digital banking option for you.
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• I've Maxed Out My Roth IRA Every Year Since 2016. Here's What It's Worth Now
  Aug 26, 2025
  I'm on track to become a Roth IRA millionaire. Here's how the last nine years have gone maxing out my account, and why I love …
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• Every $10K You Keep in a BofA Savings Account Costs You a New Pair of AirPods Every Year
  Aug 25, 2025
  Your bank's low savings rate might be silently draining your wealth. Here's a smarter way to earn more, without any added risk.
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• From 7 Rental Properties to 1 Index Fund: My Simplified Investing Strategy
  Aug 25, 2025
  I'm selling my last rental and going all-in on index funds. Here's how this move simplified my finances -- and why I wish I did …
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• How I Made $798 More in Interest Just by Ditching My Old Bank
  Aug 24, 2025
  I switched to a high-yield savings account and made $798 more last year. Here's how you can boost your interest earnings, too.
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• My Company Gave Me $1,000 to Invest. Here's Exactly What I'm Doing With It
  Aug 24, 2025
  I was handed $1,000 to invest, no strings attached. Instead of chasing hot stocks, here's how I'm using it to build long-term wealth the boring …
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• Forget CDs: Here Are 3 Investments With Higher Growth
  Aug 20, 2025
  CDs are safe, but slow-growing. Find out about three alternative investments with higher growth potential that can supercharge your savings.
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• I Opened 4 Custodial Accounts for My Baby Nephews. Here's How Much They've Grown
  Aug 19, 2025
  Learn how I'm building wealth for the next generation with custodial brokerage accounts and simple investing strategies.
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• 4 Safe Ways to Earn 4%+ on Your Retirement Savings
  Aug 19, 2025
  Looking for safe ways to invest and preserve your retirement savings? These four options offer 4%+ yields without putting your money at major risk.
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• I Keep $25,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account -- Here's Why
  Aug 19, 2025
  See how I earn over $1,000 a year in interest by keeping $25,000 in a high-yield savings account, and how you can use one the …
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• 5 Ways to Create Passive Income Streams That Last Forever
  Aug 18, 2025
  These passive income streams can provide steady cash flow now and continue for decades. See how to build wealth for life.
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• What to Do if Your Credit Card Application Gets Denied
  Aug 18, 2025
  Got denied for a credit card? Here's how to bounce back, fix what went wrong, and improve your odds of approval next time.
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• My 9-Year-Old Nephew Has an $8,000 Investment Portfolio -- Here's How
  Aug 17, 2025
  Learn how I built an $8,000 custodial investment account for my nephew, and how it could grow into something much bigger over time.
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• My Credit Score Is 822. Here's Why Amex and Citi Denied My Credit Card Application
  Aug 16, 2025
  A perfect credit score doesn't guarantee approval. Here's why I got denied by Amex and Citi, and what you can learn from my experience.
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• 5 Reasons You Can Be Denied a Credit Card (Besides Your Credit Score)
  Aug 15, 2025
  Even with an excellent credit score, a lender can still reject you. Here are five other factors that might stand in your way.
  Read More