Articles by Valerie Ashton

Valerie Ashton is a commercial pilot, California Real Estate Broker and writer. A life-long California resident, Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University and attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

What Are Market-Linked CDs? Learn how market-linked certificates of deposit (CDs) work and how you can use it to grow your money. Find out about the advantages and disadvantages of market-linked CDs, especially when compared to traditional CDs. See if the earnings limits, FDIC insurance, and tax rules of these special CDs are right for your investment portfolio. What Makes a Bad 401(k) Plan? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What Makes a Bad 401(k) Plan? An employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan is usually an excellent retirement... 9 Signs That You Have Too Much Debt Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton 9 Signs That You Have Too Much Debt Almost all Americans have debt. Debt is normal, and for many, necessary to... How to Pay for High Emergency Care Expenses Learn about the different options to help pay for emergency care expenses that you didn't anticipate, including payment plans, loans, and more. Debt Repayment: Pay Off Smallest Balance or Highest APR? Find out whether it is better for you to pay off the smallest balance or highest APR when choosing which credit card debt to focus on repaying. When to Use Personal Loan to Fund Continuing College Education Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton When to Use Personal Loan to Fund Continuing College Education Taking out a student loan to fund your education is the most widely used financing... What You Have to Consider Before Lending Money to Family and Friends Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What You Have to Consider Before Lending Money to Family and Friends Money is a leading cause of stress in relationships, not just with couples but... What's a Good Credit Score For a College Student? Find out what is considered a good credit score for a college student who wants to ensure that they're a low borrowing risk as they enter adult life. Learn what goes into calculating credit scores to understand how students should manage their debt correctly. See which credit cards are best for college students to build credit. How to Protect Yourself Against Down Payment Wire Fraud Learn about one of the biggest scams that target home buyers who are about to close on their purchase: down payment wire fraud. Can Your Credit Score Suffer Because You Have Student Loans? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Can Your Credit Score Suffer Because You Have Student Loans? Your credit score is that tricky number that really only matters when you need...