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.

What to Do Before Renewing Your Homeowners Insurance Policy? If you're homeowners insurance policy is about to renew, take these steps to ensure that you maintain enough coverage at the lowest premiums. How to Compare Home Insurance Companies Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Compare Home Insurance Companies Buying a home is an opportunity to earn equity and put down roots. And like many... How to Create a Home Inventory for Homeowners Insurance Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Create a Home Inventory for Homeowners Insurance If you own a home, homeowners insurance (although not required by law) is... Which Payments You Should Avoid Making With a Credit Card Credit cards have a place in our finances, yet buying the wrong things can damage our finances. Here are nine things you shouldn't put on a credit card. What Credit Cards are Accepted at Costco? Find out which credit cards work at Costco, the wholesale warehouse club that has been known to be picky with accepting credit card payments. Expiration Dates: Why Credit Card and Debit Cards Have Them Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Expiration Dates: Why Credit Card and Debit Cards Have Them Debit cards and credit cards have a variety of numbers on them. This includes your... Should You Pay to Extend a Mortgage Rate Lock? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Should You Pay to Extend a Mortgage Rate Lock? When buying a house, affordability doesn’t only involve the price of a property—it... How to Get a Debt Consolidation Loan With a Bad Credit Score Learn how to get a debt consolidation loan when you've got bad credit scores, which could reduce your chances of approval. But, it's still possible. Should You Apply for a Mortgage With or Without Your Spouse? Find out whether you should apply for a mortgage with or without your spouse when you consider income, credit scores, and other factors for your application. Are Joint Credit Cards Good for Your Marriage? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Are Joint Credit Cards Good for Your Marriage? There's no rule that says married couples have to merge their finances. Some couples...