Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway has been covering money for four years. He started as an intern at The Motley Fool Money, covering best-of credit cards, savings accounts, and financial products. He's since expanded into wholistic personal finances, including the psychology of money.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and is currently working toward his CPA license. Beyond his early start at The Motley Fool, Cole has written for Achieve.com, Freedom Debt Relief, and Bills.com, with his work syndicated by Yahoo Finance, MSN, and Nasdaq. He doesn't pick favorite books on money. But if you twisted his arm, he'd probably say, "ow, Poor Charlie's Almanack!" or "oh my god, anything by Morgan Housel!" and make a sad face.
EXPERIENCE
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AAn Army of WritersFinance Writer & Editor 2025–Present
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TThe Motley Fool MoneyFinance Writer 2022–2024
EDUCATION
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CCalifornia Polytechnic State University SLOEnglish Bachelors of Arts 2020
FIND ME ON
- The Motley Fool
- The Motley Fool Money
- Achieve.com
- Freedom Debt Relief
- Bills.com
Their Top Finance Tip
Keep it simple.
Numbers tell a story.
4+
Years in finance journalism
31
Articles published
19
Financial topics covered
Cole Tretheway's Expertise
Cole's favorite resources
1
Reuters
2
Sherwood News
3
The Motley Fool Money
Working with Cole Tretheway
Cole is a talented, passionate writer who always delivered excellent work on deadline while he worked with The Motley Fool. He thinks outside the box and does extensive research, which allows him to surface information and insights that other writers miss. He's also kind, funny, whip-smart, and a joy to work with. - James McClenathen, Managing Editor @ The Motley Fool Money
Cole has an amazing ability to make personal finance relatable and fun. If you want a writer who can not only quickly digest complex topics, but also go on to explain them in an engaging way, look no further. Having teamed up with him on a couple of projects, I can also say he's a pleasure to work with. He asks the right questions, keeps a sense of humor, and gets things done. - Managing Editor @ The Bogota Post
In Conversation
More from Cole Tretheway
LATEST
Managing Money • Jun 06
Dycom is building a 49-acre fake town to train unskilled workers for $62K data center jobs
As the AI boom drains the supply of skilled tradespeople, a debt-free career is opening up for anyone willing to grab it.
Managing Money • Jun 06
Dycom is building a 49-acre fake town to train unskilled workers for $62K data center jobs
As the AI boom drains the supply of skilled tradespeople, a debt-free career is opening up for anyone willing to grab it.
News • Jun 05
Bay area mom sent $5,400 to scammers who cloned her daughter's voice — and the FBI warns AI fraud has hit $893 million
Would you send the money?
News • Jun 05
Bay area mom sent $5,400 to scammers who cloned her daughter's voice — and the FBI warns AI fraud has hit $893 million
Would you send the money?
Auto • Jun 03
‘This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in a car’: New vehicle safety feature is driving motorists crazy
Many drivers can't stand attention monitors — but 87% keep them on. Here's why the tech is spreading fast, and how to shut yours off if it's driving you nuts.
Auto • Jun 03
‘This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in a car’: New vehicle safety feature is driving motorists crazy
Many drivers can't stand attention monitors — but 87% keep them on. Here's why the tech is spreading fast, and how to shut yours off if it's driving you nuts.
Managing Money • Jun 01
Costco just broke gas station sales records — but a $65 membership might not save you as much as you think
Record gas sales pulled drivers into Costco — but cheap fuel is just the hook. Here's how to tell if a paid membership actually pays off, at Costco or anywhere.
Managing Money • Jun 01
Costco just broke gas station sales records — but a $65 membership might not save you as much as you think
Record gas sales pulled drivers into Costco — but cheap fuel is just the hook. Here's how to tell if a paid membership actually pays off, at Costco or anywhere.
News • May 31
FIFA turned World Cup tickets into a 'gauntlet of confusion' — now 2 state AGs are investigating
New York and New Jersey are investigating FIFA's World Cup ticket prices. Here's what fans are up against — and how to protect yourself from dynamic pricing anywhere.
News • May 31
FIFA turned World Cup tickets into a 'gauntlet of confusion' — now 2 state AGs are investigating
New York and New Jersey are investigating FIFA's World Cup ticket prices. Here's what fans are up against — and how to protect yourself from dynamic pricing anywhere.
Managing Money • May 30
My 401(k) has mysteriously disappeared. I’m trying to recover it, but the bills are piling up fast. What else can I do?
Retirement savings don't just disappear — but they can be tough to track down.
Managing Money • May 30
My 401(k) has mysteriously disappeared. I’m trying to recover it, but the bills are piling up fast. What else can I do?
Retirement savings don't just disappear — but they can be tough to track down.
News • May 29
Florida man finds fanny pack with $30,000 in a Wawa bathroom — and turns it in. Why big money so often find its way home
People assume stolen money is unlikely to be returned, but the opposite is true — especially when you lose large amounts of cash, as one man demonstrates.
News • May 29
Florida man finds fanny pack with $30,000 in a Wawa bathroom — and turns it in. Why big money so often find its way home
People assume stolen money is unlikely to be returned, but the opposite is true — especially when you lose large amounts of cash, as one man demonstrates.
News • May 25
A 93-year-old woman says she was flooded with mystery mail for nearly a year — here's what the sharp senior did about it
It all began when Dorothy Lathan received a piece of mail addressed to "Chocolate Squirrel LLC."
News • May 25
A 93-year-old woman says she was flooded with mystery mail for nearly a year — here's what the sharp senior did about it
It all began when Dorothy Lathan received a piece of mail addressed to "Chocolate Squirrel LLC."
Managing Money • May 25
Forget the 3-month salary rule: The Ramsey Show says a pricey engagement ring takes critical money from 3 major buckets
Couples may be pulling ring money from the same bowl as other major expenses newlyweds typically encounter.
Managing Money • May 25
Forget the 3-month salary rule: The Ramsey Show says a pricey engagement ring takes critical money from 3 major buckets
Couples may be pulling ring money from the same bowl as other major expenses newlyweds typically encounter.
News • May 22
'Your home is sinking': Builders face increasing claims of poor construction as heartbroken owners see dreams dashed
Mold, cracked homes, sinking foundations. One homebuilder has seen claims double as homeowners air their complaints.
News • May 22
'Your home is sinking': Builders face increasing claims of poor construction as heartbroken owners see dreams dashed
Mold, cracked homes, sinking foundations. One homebuilder has seen claims double as homeowners air their complaints.
News • May 22
Texas HOA manager accused of embezzling $53,000 to pay for DoorDash and Amazon is part of a larger trend
HOA fraud cases are increasing in frequency. Is your community at risk?
News • May 22
Texas HOA manager accused of embezzling $53,000 to pay for DoorDash and Amazon is part of a larger trend
HOA fraud cases are increasing in frequency. Is your community at risk?
Investing • May 20
Warren Buffett sits on a record $397B in cash while Michael Burry shorts AI for $1B, betting it's 1999 all over again
Buffett invests when the market is fearful and prices are reasonable, and he’s not investing now.
Investing • May 20
Warren Buffett sits on a record $397B in cash while Michael Burry shorts AI for $1B, betting it's 1999 all over again
Buffett invests when the market is fearful and prices are reasonable, and he’s not investing now.
News • May 19
An upscale California beach town is now strewn with sewage – as locals flee and business suffers
Local and federal governments have been working on a solution to the crisis, but for many residents of San Diego County, the damage has been done.
News • May 19
An upscale California beach town is now strewn with sewage – as locals flee and business suffers
Local and federal governments have been working on a solution to the crisis, but for many residents of San Diego County, the damage has been done.
Investing • May 18
Jamie Dimon warns markets have 'too much exuberance,' joining forecasters like Michael Burry seeing a looming correction
With the S&P 500 up nearly 9%, two of Wall Street’s most famous forecasters are urging caution. They point to geopolitical risks, inflation, and an overhyped AI bubble.
Investing • May 18
Jamie Dimon warns markets have 'too much exuberance,' joining forecasters like Michael Burry seeing a looming correction
With the S&P 500 up nearly 9%, two of Wall Street’s most famous forecasters are urging caution. They point to geopolitical risks, inflation, and an overhyped AI bubble.
News • May 13
'Target went to hell' — and the man tasked with saving it started there as a summer intern 20 years ago
Layoffs, changes in leadership, growth promises — the new CEO has hit the ground running, winning over analysts. His forecasts are worth watching.
News • May 13
'Target went to hell' — and the man tasked with saving it started there as a summer intern 20 years ago
Layoffs, changes in leadership, growth promises — the new CEO has hit the ground running, winning over analysts. His forecasts are worth watching.
Insurance • May 11
Why one woman bolted from ‘tax haven’ Florida, and others are leaving too
While Florida’s zero state income tax still draws people in, Home insurance premiums and rising property taxes are starting to push some out.
Insurance • May 11
Why one woman bolted from ‘tax haven’ Florida, and others are leaving too
While Florida’s zero state income tax still draws people in, Home insurance premiums and rising property taxes are starting to push some out.
Managing Money • May 08
She paid taxes from every paycheck and still owed the IRS — a jump from 12% to 22% was the culprit
If your employer is not withholding enough tax for your side jobs or life changes, you may owe the IRS money. Update your W-4 to fix it.
Managing Money • May 08
She paid taxes from every paycheck and still owed the IRS — a jump from 12% to 22% was the culprit
If your employer is not withholding enough tax for your side jobs or life changes, you may owe the IRS money. Update your W-4 to fix it.
News • May 04
The typical fake check fraud victim loses $2,000, the FTC says — here's how to protect yourself when selling a car
Fake check fraud targets online car sellers who think money is safe once it hits their checking accounts.
News • May 04
The typical fake check fraud victim loses $2,000, the FTC says — here's how to protect yourself when selling a car
Fake check fraud targets online car sellers who think money is safe once it hits their checking accounts.
News • May 04
Your electricity bill rose 40% while utility CEO pay rose 47% — now, voters are taking it to the ballot boxes
CEOs may be incentivized to prioritize shareholders over utility customers, driving up energy costs for average Americans.
News • May 04
Your electricity bill rose 40% while utility CEO pay rose 47% — now, voters are taking it to the ballot boxes
CEOs may be incentivized to prioritize shareholders over utility customers, driving up energy costs for average Americans.
News • Apr 30
They met at an MIT poker night, now their $1B startup sells AI to HVAC companies — dubbing technicians 'main characters'
The company’s bots drum up business for blue-collar industries. It’s a bet on the future of humans in trades — well, some humans.
News • Apr 30
They met at an MIT poker night, now their $1B startup sells AI to HVAC companies — dubbing technicians 'main characters'
The company’s bots drum up business for blue-collar industries. It’s a bet on the future of humans in trades — well, some humans.
News • Apr 29
JD Vance jokes about letting Marco Rubio ‘make his Polymarket bet’ before a World Cup change — Americans aren’t laughing
Recently, a U.S. soldier was accused of using confidential info to earn $400,000 on Polymarket, and multiple congressional candidates have bet on their own races.
News • Apr 29
JD Vance jokes about letting Marco Rubio ‘make his Polymarket bet’ before a World Cup change — Americans aren’t laughing
Recently, a U.S. soldier was accused of using confidential info to earn $400,000 on Polymarket, and multiple congressional candidates have bet on their own races.
Investing • Apr 26
Kevin O'Leary sold 26 altcoins after the 2025 crash, kept only Bitcoin and Ethereum — says the rest have 'no future'
Most altcoins fail. Should you write them off completely? Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has thoughts on what you should do.
Investing • Apr 26
Kevin O'Leary sold 26 altcoins after the 2025 crash, kept only Bitcoin and Ethereum — says the rest have 'no future'
Most altcoins fail. Should you write them off completely? Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has thoughts on what you should do.
Employment • Apr 25
Microsoft wants 8,750 workers gone — and its 'Rule of 70' reveals exactly who's on the chopping block
Microsoft is using “voluntary” buyouts to thin its middle ranks as AI reshapes who companies need. It's a classic tactic, often followed by mandatory layoffs with worse terms.
Employment • Apr 25
Microsoft wants 8,750 workers gone — and its 'Rule of 70' reveals exactly who's on the chopping block
Microsoft is using “voluntary” buyouts to thin its middle ranks as AI reshapes who companies need. It's a classic tactic, often followed by mandatory layoffs with worse terms.
Managing Money • Apr 23
Ex-Wall Street trader now drives for Uber and Lyft — how he's surviving high gas prices putting other drivers in the red
Uber drivers were taking home $15 to $18 an hour before spiking gas prices.
Managing Money • Apr 23
Ex-Wall Street trader now drives for Uber and Lyft — how he's surviving high gas prices putting other drivers in the red
Uber drivers were taking home $15 to $18 an hour before spiking gas prices.
News • Apr 22
Elon Musk says AI will create so much wealth that ‘everyone can have a penthouse if they want’
Musk’s comment arrives as people remain concerned about AI replacing their jobs, with some headlines suggesting some 20% of jobs are at risk to automation.
News • Apr 22
Elon Musk says AI will create so much wealth that ‘everyone can have a penthouse if they want’
Musk’s comment arrives as people remain concerned about AI replacing their jobs, with some headlines suggesting some 20% of jobs are at risk to automation.
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