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Motley Fool Money Articles

Learn more about applying the principles of money management to help stay in control of your finances.
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Recent Articles

A gold bull and bear figurines on stock market papers.
July 21, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Best Brokers for Investing in the S&P 500

Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and SoFi® lead the pack for S&P 500 investors, with low fees, no commissions, and easy index fund access.
Credit report that reads 765 on a desk where someone is typing on a calculator and their holding glasses
July 20, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

You'll Probably Never Hit 850. Here's the Credit Score That Actually Gets You the Best Rates

The best loan terms and credit perks kick in around a credit score of 780, not a perfect 850. Here's the number to aim for and how to reach it.
A chalkboard resting on a desk with a piggy bank and the words Credit Score drawn on it.
July 19, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

How to Pick the Right Balance Transfer Card if You Have Less-Than-Perfect Credit

You can still get a balance transfer card with fair credit, but options are limited. Here's how to pick the right one and what to watch for.
Man holding infant while using laptop and having a bowl of cereal and glass of milk.
July 15, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is a Trump Account Worth It if Your Child Won't Get the Free $1,000?

Weighing a Trump Account's tax-advantaged head start against the flexibility of other custodial accounts for kids who miss the seed deposit.
smiling young man holding a coffee mug and handing cash to a waiter
July 13, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Is Cash Safer Than a Card?

A credit card is usually safer than cash for everyday spending because of fraud protection. Cash's only real edge is privacy.
Blocks that spell out FED on top of a hundred dollar bill.
July 12, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

What Happens to Your HYSA Rate When the Fed Cuts Rates?

When the Fed cuts rates, your savings APY usually falls too, but not instantly and not at every bank. Here's how the two are connected.
Person outdoors celebrating with fist raised while holding cellphone.
July 10, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Here's What Happens When You Pay Down $5,000 in Credit Card Debt at Once -- and What to Do Next

Just paid off $5,000 in credit card debt? Learn whether to close your old card, how long your score takes to update, and what to do with your money next.
Blocks spelling FED with another block featuring an up arrow and a down arrow being turned.
July 9, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Will the Fed Cut Rates in July 2026? Here's What the Markets Say

A Fed rate cut isn't happening in July 2026. Here's why a hike is on the table instead, and what it means for your savings and debt.
A couple sitting on the floor of their living room organizing paperwork.
July 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Can You Do a Balance Transfer More Than Once?

Yes, you can do a balance transfer more than once. But qualifying, transfer fees, and your credit limits all shape whether multiple balance transfers are worth it.
Woman working on taxes while holding infant in her lap.
July 7, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Trump Accounts Just Launched. Can You Get a Free $1,000 for Your Child?

Trump Accounts are live as of July 4, 2026. Here's what they are, who gets the $1,000, and what to do if your kid doesn't qualify.
Two people sitting at a desk and going over papers while typing in a calculator.
July 5, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Long Does It Actually Take to Pay Off $10,000 With a Balance Transfer Card?

A balance transfer card stops the interest and starts a clock. Learn how to set a monthly payment that clears $10,000 before the intro window ends.
A young adult pumps gas with a concerned expression on their face.
July 4, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

These 10 States Pay the Most for Gas as Prices Remain Elevated

Drivers in high-mileage states spend the most on gas, not those with the priciest pumps. See the 10 states topping the list in 2026.
Person getting assistance from bank teller.
July 2, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

The 3 Smartest Ways to Withdraw $10,000+ From the Bank

Withdrawing $10,000 or more takes a little planning. ACH transfers, wire transfers, and cashier's checks differ on speed, cost, and safety.
Couple excited, high-fiving.
July 1, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

My Wife and I Have $140,000 Each in Our Roth IRAs. Here's How

Maxing out a Roth IRA in 2026 takes around $625 a month. Here's how consistent contributions and index funds grew our balances into six figures.
A couple counts dollar bills together at home.
June 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How to Make $1,000 a Month in Interest

It takes about $300,000 at today's top rates to generate $1,000 per month in interest. Here's a breakdown at different rates and where to keep it.
Red and black labels reading Roth IRA on top of a dollar bill.
June 29, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Why I Chose a Roth IRA Over a Traditional One

I'd rather pay taxes on my retirement savings now than guess at a higher rate later. That's the core reason I picked Roth over traditional IRA.
A salesman handing over the keys to a new car.
June 28, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Do I Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car?

No, you can rent a car with a debit card at most agencies. Here's what rental car companies require and why I still recommend using a credit card.
A happy family walking through a park with the young kids on the parents' shoulders.
June 28, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Much Income Puts You in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Class?

The Census Bureau puts the top 20% of households above $175,700. But your bracket and your real financial class aren't the same thing -- here's the gap.
A young man sits at his desk and looks over his investment accounts.
June 27, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

How to Invest in SpaceX Stock: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying SPCX

Want to buy SpaceX stock? Here's a step-by-step guide to purchasing your first shares, plus how to find the right brokerage for you.
A man sits in a cafe and uses his phone to deposit his check.
June 27, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

What Bank Has the Best Free Checking Account in June 2026?

A free checking account should cost nothing to keep, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Here's the pick I'm recommending in 2026.
Woman puts money into a piggy bank on a table, which she is sitting by
June 27, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money Now

CDs lock your money up for a fixed rate, but a high-yield savings account can offer comparable yield without giving up access to your cash.
Well-dressed couple walking through greenery drinking champagne.
June 26, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026

Cracking the top 20% of U.S. earners takes about $182,000 in 2026. Here's how income quintiles break down -- and why your bracket isn't what matters most.
Woman with glasses making calculations.
June 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How to Pick the Right Balance Transfer Card for Your Debt Amount

How much you owe can change which balance transfer card is right for you. Here's how to match the intro period, fee, and credit limit to your debt amount.
Man smiling while interacting with bank teller.
June 23, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Here's What Happens When You Withdraw $10,000 From Your Bank Account

Withdrawing $10,000 in cash from your bank is perfectly legal -- but if you do, the government will find out about it. Here's why.
A woman standing in front of a green while while thinking about a decision with her finger resting on her chin.
June 21, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

How Often Should You Apply for a New Credit Card?

There's no universal rule for how often you should land a new credit card -- but there are a few important things to consider. Here's what to know.