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.

5 Ways to Use Your Home Equity to Fund Retirement Learn how you can turn home equity into retirement income with these different methods to use a home as a funding source. Steps to Take If You’ve Lost Your Job Due to the Coronavirus Crisis Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Steps to Take If You’ve Lost Your Job Due to the Coronavirus Crisis Since the coronavirus outbreak, more than 22 million Americans have filed for... The Best Credit Cards for Vacation Expenses of 2023 Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera The Best Credit Cards for Vacation Expenses of 2023 Getaways can get expensive. There’s the cost of transportation, hotels, and food,... How to Get More Rewards With Credit Cards Deals and Flights Best travel credit cards that allow you to earn points for everything from hotels to rentals and a host of amenities. Home Depot Credit Card vs. Lowe’s Credit Card: Review Compare the store credit cards from Home Depot and Lowe's home improvement stores. Learn about their annual fees, interest rates, financing offers, and deals & discounts for both cards. See if there are other credit card alternatives for frequent shoppers at home improvement stores. How to Save More When Flying With Southwest Airlines Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Save More When Flying With Southwest Airlines Headquartered in Dallas, Southwest Airlines is one of the largest low-cost... Virgin America Airline Review and Travel Tips Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Virgin America Airline Review and Travel Tips California-based Virgin America has offered low-fares since August 2007. The... Series EE Savings Bonds: When to Redeem For the Maximum Return Learn how Series EE savings bonds from the government can help grow your savings and when you should cash them out for the maximum return. How to Handle Fraudulent Purchases Sent to Your Home Address Learn how you can get your money back when your credit card is used to make an unauthorized purchase that is shipped to your home address. The Difference Between Certified Checks and Cashier Checks Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera The Difference Between Certified Checks and Cashier Checks Cash or a personal check aren’t recommended for some large purchases, such as the...