Articles by Valencia Patrice Higuera

Valencia Higuera is based in Virginia and she covers budgeting, credit cards, and student loan debt, with expertise in frugal living, general banking, and mortgages. She is a self-proclaimed personal finance junkie. Valencia has contributed to publications and outlets including MSN, The Huffington Post, CBS News, Investopedia, and more. Education: B.A. in English from Old Dominion University.

The Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024 Compare the different basic business checking accounts offered by the top U.S. banks. Choose the right business checking account for your small business. How to Place a Credit Freeze at the Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Place a Credit Freeze at the Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion Your credit report contains highly sensitive information. Whether you’re... Should You Close Your First and Oldest Credit Card? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Should You Close Your First and Oldest Credit Card? A credit card is an excellent tool for establishing a credit history and many... What Financial Documents Needed When Applying for a Mortgage Find out which financial documents will be needed by your mortgage broker when applying for a mortgage to buy a new home. Can You Get an Auto Loan for a Private Car Sale? Learn how you can buy a used car from a private party and still borrow funds through an auto loan to pay for the purchase. Compare the Best Business Loans for Bad Credit in 2024 Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Compare the Best Business Loans for Bad Credit in 2024 Running a company takes money—sometimes a lot of it. Even if you started your... When Does It Make Sense to Take Out a 401(k) Loan? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera When Does It Make Sense to Take Out a 401(k) Loan? You've been setting money aside for retirement with a 401(k) and there's a good... How to Refinance a Mortgage With Bad Credit Learn how to refinance your mortgage if you've got bad credit, including options that have the highest chances of approval. How to Buy Homeowners Insurance Before Closing on a New Home See the steps to buy homeowners insurance, which is often needed before the closing process can complete because mortgage lenders require it. VA Home Loans: A Guide to Mortgage for Veterans Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera VA Home Loans: A Guide to Mortgage for Veterans Most people can’t afford to buy a house with cash. For this reason, they rely on...