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.

Varo Money Online Checking Account 2025 Review Learn all about the features of the Varo Money online checking account, including its fees, mobile app, and early direct deposit payment. BrioDirect CD Rates 2025 Review Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera BrioDirect CD Rates 2025 Review When your savings account isn't enough for your money, you can turn to... Why the Home Appraisal Matters When You’re Refinancing Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Why the Home Appraisal Matters When You’re Refinancing If you think back to purchasing your home, you likely remember having the property... Venmo Scams: How to Protect Yourself From Becoming a Victim Learn about the different ways that fraudsters use Venmo to scam users out of their money, including ways that you can protect yourself. Identity Fraud: Should You Get a New Social Security Number? Find out whether you should get a new Social Security number if you become a victim of identity fraud and how the change could affect your credit history. Deferment vs. Forbearance for Student Loans Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Deferment vs. Forbearance for Student Loans If you’re like most people, you didn’t have a huge college fund waiting for you... Negative Interest Rates: What It Could Mean for Your Mortgage and Savings? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Negative Interest Rates: What It Could Mean for Your Mortgage and Savings? Banking and interest go hand-in-hand. Sometimes, you can’t think of one without... Earthquake Insurance: Do You Need Coverage in Your Area? Learn what is covered by earthquake insurance, what policy coverage would cost, and whether you actually need it to pay for expensive earthquake damage. Finding a Good Real Estate Attorney: What to Look For Learn about the factors that go into finding a good real estate attorney to help with the process of buying a new home, including what questions to ask. Do Banks Offer Notary Services? Is It Free? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Do Banks Offer Notary Services? Is It Free? At some point in time, you might need to get a document notarized. To do so,...