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.

Maryland Homeowners Insurance: Average Rates for Coverage Find out how much it costs to get homeowners insurance in Maryland, in addition to the proper coverages you might consider as part of your policy. Condo Insurance: How to Shop for an H0-6 Insurance Policy Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Condo Insurance: How to Shop for an H0-6 Insurance Policy A condo might be perfect if you’re looking to buy a home, yet you want a... Guide to Using a Backdoor Roth IRA Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Guide to Using a Backdoor Roth IRA The more cash you sock away during your working years, the more money you’ll have... Should You Pay Off Student Loans or Credit Cards First? Find out whether it is smarter to pay off your student loan debt or to pay off your credit card balances. Learn the benefits of each option when it comes to saving on interest charges. Consider other options that you have to consolidate or refinance your debt to reduce interest and monthly payments. Georgia Homeowners Insurance: What are the Average Rates? See the average homeowners insurance rates for Georgia homes and the coverages and riders that you might consider as part of your policy. Is a Four-Year College Degree Overvalued? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Is a Four-Year College Degree Overvalued? School counselors, teachers, and parents sometimes push the idea that college is... Job Loss Before Closing: How Your Mortgage is Affected? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Job Loss Before Closing: How Your Mortgage is Affected? A mortgage loan approval gives you the go-ahead to start shopping for a... Private Mortgage Insurance: How PMI Works and When It Makes Sense Learn how private mortgage insurance (PMI) works as it relates to down payments and your monthly mortgage bill. Find out if it is required for your home loan. 4 Options to Avoid Foreclosure if You Can't Make Mortgage Payments Learn what you can do when you're struggling to make your mortgage payments, including options to tweak your home loan and monthly payments. When Does a No-Cost Mortgage or Refinance Make Sense? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera When Does a No-Cost Mortgage or Refinance Make Sense? Whether you’re buying a new home or refinancing your existing home loan, getting a...