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Live a richer life.
Authors
Brian O’Connell
Brian O’Connell

Brian O’Connell

Contributing Writer

Brian O'Connell is a US based former Wall Street bond trader and author of two best-selling books: "The 401k Millionaire" and "CNBC's Creating Wealth". His work is featured on national finance and business platforms like TheStreet.com, CBS News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes

A former Wall Street bond trader, Brian O'Connell is the author of two best-selling books: “The 401k Millionaire” and “CNBC’s Creating Wealth.” His work is featured on national finance and business platforms like TheStreet.com, CBS News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Fox News, and many others. Mr. O’Connell writes a weekly stock market column for Benzinga and he’s served as chief insurance analyst for Insurance Quotes since 2019.

Brian O’Connell's Expertise

A photo of a diverse group of people sitting in a circle

Loans • Aug 03

Lending circles offer no interest and no collateral — here's why millions still use them to bypass banks

By Brian O’Connell
Female caregiver taking care of elderly woman

Real Estate • Sep 12

A caregiver got a $215K house deed transferred from an Alzheimer's patient — legal experts explain the family's rights

By Brian O’Connell
Two columns featuring the contractor named Jason, left, and Liz Pereira, the homeowner.

Real Estate • Aug 23

A smooth-talking contractor can cost you thousands — here are key ways to help you hire the right handyman

By Brian O’Connell
Workers assemble a newly manufactured 1,200-square-foot accessory dwelling unit for members of the Van Dalm family, who are Eaton Fire survivors.

Real Estate • Aug 21

Factory-built homes are springing up across US suburbs — and the average price can be less than $100,000

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of a woman reviewing her finances on a laptop

Retirement • Oct 18

52% of working retirees went back for the money as the average 401(k) is $167,970 — advisors share how to stay retired

By Brian O’Connell
Rearview of a senior couple taking a walk along a wooden foot bridge at the beach.

Retirement • Sep 18

From Florida to Nevada, retirees are fleeing to no-tax states in search of financial 'heaven.' They don't always find it

By Brian O’Connell
Grandmother sits in bed, looking shocked, surrounded by grandkids laughing.

Retirement • Sep 07

‘This is like Roth IRA-maxxing' — why everyone’s suddenly raving about 529 plans even when college isn’t on the table

By Brian O’Connell
Three generations play football in a backyard.

Taxes • Oct 05

A tax battle is raging among boomers, millennials and Gen X: ‘People are voting to opt themselves out’

By Brian O’Connell
Person using computer receiving scam alert.

News • 20h ago

AI startup bots have wasted 17 years of scammers' time — now the company is bringing its tech to the US

By Brian O’Connell
A split-panel photo of economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and a gas pump

News • Oct 13

Over 70% of Americans rate the government's economic management as poor — worst reading in 48 years ahead of midterms

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of Elon Musk

News • Oct 13

Elon Musk says SpaceX could surpass the $126 trillion global economy — here's why experts call it untestable

By Brian O’Connell
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters outside the West Wing after a video interview on the North Lawn of the White House.

Mortgages • Oct 08

Kevin Hassett predicts mortgage rates will fall over the next few months. They just hit 7.28%. Should you wait to buy?

By Brian O’Connell
A two-column image of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and gold bullion.

Investing • Sep 26

China imported 1,100 tonnes of gold in 8 months — a record $158.8B haul that beats 2025, and a potential sign

By Brian O’Connell
Woman browsing gold jewels in window

Investing • Jul 23

Gold crashes from $5,500 to $4,160 since the Iran conflict began, but experts see a massive buying opportunity

By Brian O’Connell
A couple stands embracing on a grassy lawn in front of a white, suburban home, their backs to the camera.

Investing • Jul 11

Real estate is no longer the wealth builder it once was — but is it a bad investment?

By Brian O’Connell
Angie Holdaway, 71, participates in an exercise class for cancer survivors at the Ed and Ruth Lehman YMCA.

Insurance • Oct 19

Experts say your health insurance should cover gym memberships to prevent cancer from coming back. Why don't they?

By Brian O’Connell
woman and sinkhole

Insurance • Sep 23

Long Island woman swallowed by 8-foot sinkhole in her backyard, thought she was going to die on her birthday

By Brian O’Connell
A tan McLaren supercar with Elon Musk in a bubble on top of it

Insurance • Sep 20

Elon Musk totaled a $1 million McLaren with Peter Thiel riding shotgun — and hadn't bought insurance

By Brian O’Connell
Dr. John Deloney offers his advice to a Las Vegas woman who called into the show.

Managing Money • 26189 views

'Over a million dollars in debt': Vegas woman says hubby's gambling got so bad, selling the house won't help

By Brian O’Connell
Getting groceries is an ordeal for rural residents.

Managing Money • Oct 04

Alaska woman's 20-hour boat ride to Costco saves her community hundreds on groceries priced nearly double

By Brian O’Connell
Woman purchasing coffee in drive thru

Managing Money • Sep 19

Americans lose up to $2,400 a year to 'ghost charges' — 4 steps to find every phantom drain and redirect the cash

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of a rage room

Life • Oct 17

Americans are paying up to $4,000 to scream at 'rage retreats' — but therapists say there's a better use for that cash

By Brian O’Connell
Man seen talking into his phone, looking off to the side of the camera and uncertain.

Life • Oct 03

My buddy’s wife secretly asked to borrow $15K after she maxed out his credit card — how am I supposed to handle this?

By Brian O’Connell
Elon Musk sits in a chair looking pensive.

Life • Sep 20

‘Your brain literally atrophies’: Tech payouts are leaving people suddenly rich — but also depressed

By Brian O’Connell
More articles from Brian O’Connell

More from Brian O’Connell

LATEST

Person using computer receiving scam alert.

News • 20h ago

AI startup bots have wasted 17 years of scammers' time — now the company is bringing its tech to the US

AI agents are posing as fraud victims and may be beating the scammers at their own game.

By Brian O’Connell
Angie Holdaway, 71, participates in an exercise class for cancer survivors at the Ed and Ruth Lehman YMCA.

Insurance • Oct 19

Experts say your health insurance should cover gym memberships to prevent cancer from coming back. Why don't they?

Fitness programs are increasingly viewed as good cancer fighters, but insurers limit the coverage.

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of a woman reviewing her finances on a laptop

Retirement • Oct 18

52% of working retirees went back for the money as the average 401(k) is $167,970 — advisors share how to stay retired

To avoid unretiring, prepare well and run your budget numbers, again and again.

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of a rage room

Life • Oct 17

Americans are paying up to $4,000 to scream at 'rage retreats' — but therapists say there's a better use for that cash

It’s the age of rage, when screaming isn't just encouraged; it’s commercially packaged.

By Brian O’Connell
Dr. John Deloney offers his advice to a Las Vegas woman who called into the show.

Managing Money • 26189 views

'Over a million dollars in debt': Vegas woman says hubby's gambling got so bad, selling the house won't help

It’s not just gamblers who pay the price of addiction. Their families do, too.

By Brian O’Connell
A split-panel photo of economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and a gas pump

News • Oct 13

Over 70% of Americans rate the government's economic management as poor — worst reading in 48 years ahead of midterms

The GOP could pay for a souring economy at the polls in November.

By Brian O’Connell
A photo of Elon Musk

News • Oct 13

Elon Musk says SpaceX could surpass the $126 trillion global economy — here's why experts call it untestable

Elon Musk’s call on SpaceX valuation is a lot of hot air, but the company is a winner.

By Brian O’Connell
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters outside the West Wing after a video interview on the North Lawn of the White House.

Mortgages • Oct 08

Kevin Hassett predicts mortgage rates will fall over the next few months. They just hit 7.28%. Should you wait to buy?

Homebuyers should watch rising mortgage rates, but other factors matter too.

By Brian O’Connell
Two brothers, who are farmers, repair a plow on their property.

News • Oct 06

North Dakota gives farmers a break on soaring diesel costs — could it help keep grocery prices from rising?

The 19-cent-per-gallon tax break comes as record diesel prices squeeze farmers and threaten to raise food costs.

By Brian O’Connell
A gentleman shops for new golf clubs in a store.

News • Oct 06

‘Big Tech reinventing the rip-off’: You’re likely getting gouged by retailers’ pricing schemes. Protect yourself now

Retailers are tracking your shopping behavior — here’s how to fight back.

By Brian O’Connell
Three generations play football in a backyard.

Taxes • Oct 05

A tax battle is raging among boomers, millennials and Gen X: ‘People are voting to opt themselves out’

Younger Americans have had enough of property tax disparities favoring the senior set.

By Brian O’Connell
Mark Cuban speaking at an event.

News • Oct 04

Mark Cuban rips humanoid robots as impractical for homes — but robotics execs push back

Household robots have captured public interest but some experts say they’re still a complex and expensive solution to basic household problems.

By Brian O’Connell
Getting groceries is an ordeal for rural residents.

Managing Money • Oct 04

Alaska woman's 20-hour boat ride to Costco saves her community hundreds on groceries priced nearly double

If you live in a remote area and need to stock up on essentials, it’s all hands on deck.

By Brian O’Connell
Man seen talking into his phone, looking off to the side of the camera and uncertain.

Life • Oct 03

My buddy’s wife secretly asked to borrow $15K after she maxed out his credit card — how am I supposed to handle this?

Mixing money, secrets and your friend’s wife is a recipe for disaster.

By Brian O’Connell
Chris Olave wearing a Guardian Cap on the football field.

News • Oct 02

Chris Olave's 'guardian cap' looks funny — but the financial toll of NFL brain injuries is no joke

After suffering several concussions, Olave decided to use the guardian cap for health reasons, but there are financial implications to his decision as well.

By Brian O’Connell
Dolly Parton on stage

News • Sep 27

Dolly Parton's $450 million estate sues nephew Bryan Seaver over alleged death threats and extortion campaign

Family estate squabbles can accelerate without the right plan.

By Brian O’Connell
A two-column image of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and gold bullion.

Investing • Sep 26

China imported 1,100 tonnes of gold in 8 months — a record $158.8B haul that beats 2025, and a potential sign

China’s big gold play could spark interest for everyday American investors.

By Brian O’Connell
farmer

News • Sep 25

Fourth-generation farmer raises alarm bells about diesel prices, says it costs him $1,000 to fill his tractor

Rising fuel prices are hitting U.S. farmers hard, right in the midst of harvest season.

By Brian O’Connell
A potash mine where the essential, bulky raw material is processed.

News • Sep 23

Trump's Belarus potash idea hits a wall — country's leader says supply is already committed and logistics don't add up

American farmers need fertilizer, but is a transport route through Russia a good idea?

By Brian O’Connell
woman and sinkhole

Insurance • Sep 23

Long Island woman swallowed by 8-foot sinkhole in her backyard, thought she was going to die on her birthday

Homeowners dealing with sinkholes face risks, both health-wise and financially.

By Brian O’Connell
Mark Cuban speaks onstage at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow: AI in Action Lab event.

News • Sep 22

Mark Cuban says healthcare companies are sued daily, usually lose and are 'too big to care.' He has a better solution

The billionaire icon is taking a tough stance against big healthcare companies.

By Brian O’Connell
Sam Altman surrounded by Craig Thole of Boost Mobile (left) and the rapper Fabolous

News • Sep 21

Sam Altman dropped out of Stanford to build an app almost nobody used — it still sold for $43.4 million

How did Altman pull off the blockbuster deal, even though so few people actually used his app?

By Brian O’Connell
Elon Musk sits in a chair looking pensive.

Life • Sep 20

‘Your brain literally atrophies’: Tech payouts are leaving people suddenly rich — but also depressed

Believe it or not, instant wealth has its downsides.

By Brian O’Connell
A tan McLaren supercar with Elon Musk in a bubble on top of it

Insurance • Sep 20

Elon Musk totaled a $1 million McLaren with Peter Thiel riding shotgun — and hadn't bought insurance

His last words before sending it: "Watch this."

By Brian O’Connell
Woman purchasing coffee in drive thru

Managing Money • Sep 19

Americans lose up to $2,400 a year to 'ghost charges' — 4 steps to find every phantom drain and redirect the cash

Scaring away ghost charges can brighten a household budget.

By Brian O’Connell

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