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.

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... Buying a Mobile Home With a Personal Loan: Pros & Cons to Consider Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Buying a Mobile Home With a Personal Loan: Pros & Cons to Consider It’s estimated that roughly 17 million Americans live in mobile homes (also called... What to Do Before Renewing Your Home Insurance Policy? Learn what you need to do when it comes time to renew your homeowners insurance policy, especially reviewing everything to ensure proper and adequate coverage. Should You Take Out a Personal Loan to Pay Your Rent? Find out whether it's a good decision to take out a personal loan to pay your rent, including the pros and cons and alternatives to consider. Identity Fraud: Should You Get a New Social Security Number? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Identity Fraud: Should You Get a New Social Security Number? Identity fraud involves more than someone stealing your social security number... 8 Financial Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera 8 Financial Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day Valentine's Day is a time when many couples exchange gifts as a gesture of love.... The Best Business Checking Accounts of 2024 Compare the different basic business checking accounts offered by the top U.S. banks. Choose the right business checking account for your small business. How to Change Your Credit Card Billing Address Learn how to change your billing address with your card issuer and find out what happens if you provide the wrong billing address. What to Consider When Using Gift Funds for Your Down Payment on a Mortgage Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera What to Consider When Using Gift Funds for Your Down Payment on a Mortgage You're ready to buy a home, but understand that you need to have a good chunk of...