Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer |

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS: 370 | 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

• I've Got $5,000 Burning a Hole in My Pocket -- Here Are 3 Moves I'm Considering to Grow It
  Nov 15, 2025
  How I'm putting an unexpected $5,000 to work, from high-yield savings to long-term investing and low-risk growth options.
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• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review
  Nov 13, 2025
  Learn how this no-fee business card can help you earn more on everyday expenses like office supplies, internet, and gas.
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• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review
  Nov 13, 2025
  Get simple, unlimited cash back with no annual fee. Read our full Chase Ink Business Unlimited review to see if it's the best card for …
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• 2026 Contribution Limits Are Here: How Much You Can Save in Your 401(k) and IRA
  Nov 13, 2025
  The new 401(k) limit for 2026 contributions is $24,500, and the IRA limit has raised to $7,500 for savers under 50 years old.
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• Banks With No Overdraft Fees
  Nov 12, 2025
  Avoid costly surprises. Learn about seven bank accounts with no overdraft fees -- including accounts we've tested and trust.
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• Capital One Venture X Business Review
  Nov 12, 2025
  The Capital One Venture X Business card offers premium travel perks and a huge welcome bonus -- see why it's a favorite among small business …
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• Prime Visa Review
  Nov 12, 2025
  Here's my honest review of the Prime Visa credit card. Learn how the rewards work, how to qualify, and whether it's a good fit for …
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• Here's How Much You Can Make With $20,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account
  Nov 10, 2025
  With the right savings account, $20,000 can earn you hundreds in passive interest. Here's how much to expect, even if APYs drop.
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• The Fed Cut Rates Again -- and I'm Still Earning Over $1,000 a Year in Interest
  Nov 8, 2025
  A few top savings accounts are still paying over 4.00% APY right now even after the Fed cut rates again. Here's how to find the …
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• What NOT to Do With a 0% Intro APR Credit Card
  Nov 7, 2025
  A 0% intro APR credit card can be a financial blessing or a debt trap. Here's what to avoid so you actually get ahead, not …
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• Why Most Store Credit Cards Aren't Worth It (and What to Use Instead)
  Nov 6, 2025
  Most store credit cards offer weak rewards and sky-high APRs. Here's why they're rarely worth it, and better options to consider instead.
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• 5 Reasons Store Credit Cards Are (Usually) a Horrible Deal
  Nov 6, 2025
  That 20% discount at checkout may seem tempting, but most store credit cards are packed with limitations. Here's why they're rarely worth it.
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• Do You Have Too Much Money in Your Checking Account? 3 Red Flags to Watch in November 2025
  Nov 5, 2025
  Keeping too much cash in checking could cost you. Watch for these three red flags and make your money work harder this November.
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• $5,000 in Debt? Here's How Much to Pay Monthly With a 0% Intro APR Card
  Nov 2, 2025
  If you've got $5,000 in credit card debt, a 0% intro APR card could be your way out. Here's how much to pay monthly -- …
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• Rates Are Falling, but I'm Still Earning 4% on My Savings -- Here's How
  Nov 2, 2025
  Fed rates are dropping, but smart savers can still earn 4% or more. See how HYSAs and CDs can protect your yield as APYs begin …
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• Rate Cuts Don't Scare Me. Why My HYSA Still Beats a CD
  Nov 1, 2025
  CDs lock in your rate, but a flexible HYSA still wins for me. Here's how I'm earning over 4% and staying nimble as the Fed …
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• How Much Will a $10,000 Credit Card Balance Transfer Cost?
  Nov 1, 2025
  Most balance transfers cost 3%-5%, so that's between $300 and $500 on a $10,000 transfer. Here's why that fee is small compared to potential interest …
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• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Review
  Oct 31, 2025
  The new Sapphire Reserve for Business card offers premium travel perks, flexible rewards, and a massive intro bonus -- see if it's worth the high …
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• 3 Things I'd Do With $10,000 Right Now
  Oct 31, 2025
  Here's exactly where I'd put $10,000 right now, from safe high-yield savings to long-term index investing and smart mid-term CDs.
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• 4 Things Millionaires Do With Every Paycheck
  Oct 31, 2025
  Millionaires pay themselves first, invest like robots, scale up with raises, and put every dollar to work its hardest. Here's how to adopt these habits.
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• Are Balance Transfer Fees Worth It? Here's the Math
  Oct 31, 2025
  Most of the time, balance transfer fees are worth it. Here's how the math works, and the rare times when they don't make sense.
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• Pros and Cons of High-Yield Savings Accounts
  Oct 29, 2025
  Learn about all the goods and bads of high-yield savings accounts and how they work before deciding if you should open one.
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• I'm a Millionaire, but I Still Do These 5 Frugal Things
  Oct 28, 2025
  Here's why I still cut my own hair, wear decade-old clothes, and wash my own car even though I've crossed millionaire status.
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• Act Fast: The Top 2 CDs of October 2025 (Up to 4.10% APY)
  Oct 28, 2025
  CD rates are still holding strong right now. You can lock in up to 4.10% APY or explore high-yield savings accounts still paying over 4.00%.
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• Here's Why I Pay My Credit Card Bill Every Week
  Oct 28, 2025
  Paying your credit card bill every week might sound obsessive, but it can boost your credit score and help you avoid ever paying interest.
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