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Average U.S. Income: How Much Do Americans Earn?
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The average credit score in America is 714. Find out how yours compares in this full report by Motley Fool Money.

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Discover wasteful spending trends -- and how high-yield savings accounts and budgeting tools can help curb impulse buying and grow your cash.

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Americans shelled out $104.7 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, a record high. But is playing the lottery a good investment?

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Subject Matter Experts

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Jack Caporal

Jack Caporal

Research Director

Jack Caporal is the Research Director for The Motley Fool and Motley Fool Money and has worked full-time for the company since 2021. Jack leads efforts to identify and analyze trends shaping investing and personal financial decisions across the United States. His research has appeared in thousands of media outlets including Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNBC, and has been cited in congressional testimony. He previously covered business and economic trends as a reporter and policy analyst in Washington, D.C. He serves as Chair of the Trade Policy Committee at the World Trade Center in Denver, Colorado. He holds a B.A. degree in International Relations with a concentration in International Economics from Michigan State University.

Expertise

Data collection, analysis, and visualization; consumer research & insights; financial education

Past Experience

Reporter and Policy Analyst

Joel O'Leary

Joel O'Leary

Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

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.

Expertise

Credit cards, banking, investing, insurance, personal loans

Past Experience

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

Recent Research

View All Research Learn More Link Arrow
July 27, 2026 | By Jack Caporal

The Average Credit Card Interest Rate

The average credit card interest rate is 21% APR as of May 2026, per Federal Reserve data. See how rates are set and what they mean for carrying a balance.
July 24, 2026 | By Jack Caporal

The Average House Price by State in 2026

The median house price in the United States as of the second quarter of 2026 is $410,700. See how states compare here.
July 22, 2026 | By Jack Caporal

Back-to-School Shopping Trends 2026: How Parents Are Financing the Bill

Back-to-school shopping trends: 34% of parents finance it with credit cards, 25% use buy now, pay later.
July 21, 2026 | By Jack Caporal

The Average Checking Account Interest Rate in July 2026

The national average checking account interest rate is 0.07% APY as of July 2026, per FDIC data. See how rates compare and where to find a better rate.
July 21, 2026 | By Jack Caporal

Average Savings Account Interest Rate in July 2026

The national average savings account interest rate is 0.38% APY as of July 2026, per FDIC data. See how rates have changed and where to find a better rate.