Articles by Valerie Ashton

Valerie Ashton is a commercial pilot, California Real Estate Broker and writer. A life-long California resident, Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University and attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

How to Protect Yourself Against Down Payment Wire Fraud Learn about one of the biggest scams that target home buyers who are about to close on their purchase: down payment wire fraud. How to Find an Old 401k Account from a Previous Employer Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton How to Find an Old 401k Account from a Previous Employer If at one point, you quit a job, got fired, or were let go due to your company... Should Freelancers Get a Business Credit Card? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Should Freelancers Get a Business Credit Card? Many people believe that having multiple streams of income is more beneficial and... Is It Better to Settle Credit Card Debt or Repay the Full Amount? When offered to settle your credit card debt, compared it to repaying the balance in full -- considering the effect on your credit score. Why Were You Denied a Savings Account? Find out why you could have been rejected for a savings account. Learn about ChexSystems and how banks use it when you submit an application. What Are Market-Linked CDs? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What Are Market-Linked CDs? A certificate of deposit (CD) can be one of the best low-risk savings vehicles... What Makes a Bad 401(k) Plan? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What Makes a Bad 401(k) Plan? An employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan is usually an excellent retirement... 9 Signs That You Have Too Much Debt These are the tell-tale signs that you have too much debt. Learn how you can take control of your finances and start paying down your debt and loan balances. How to Pay for High Emergency Care Expenses Learn about the different options to help pay for emergency care expenses that you didn't anticipate, including payment plans, loans, and more. Debt Repayment: Pay Off Smallest Balance or Highest APR? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Debt Repayment: Pay Off Smallest Balance or Highest APR? If you are paying hundreds or thousands of dollars each month in credit cards,...