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.

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... Deferment vs. Forbearance for Student Loans Learn everything you need to know about deferment and forbearance to determine which financial hardship program is best for you and your student loans. Negative Interest Rates: What It Could Mean for Your Mortgage and Savings? Find out what could happen to your mortgage and savings if the Federal Reserve decided to set negative interest rates on the American economy. Earthquake Insurance: Do You Need Coverage in Your Area? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Earthquake Insurance: Do You Need Coverage in Your Area? Are you financing a home through a mortgage lender? If so, you’re expected to... Finding a Good Real Estate Attorney: What to Look For Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Finding a Good Real Estate Attorney: What to Look For Some people don’t give any thought to hiring a lawyer until they have to go to... Do Banks Offer Notary Services? Is It Free? Find out if banks offer (and charge for) notary services to validate your identity for an important document -- and other options for a notary public. How to Find Your Bank's Routing Number Learn how to find the correct routing number for your bank account. See the list of routing numbers at the top U.S. banks based on your state. Credit Karma Savings Account Review 2024: Extra FDIC Insurance and a High Savings Rate Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Credit Karma Savings Account Review 2024: Extra FDIC Insurance and a High Savings Rate Credit Karma is known as a great resource for consumers to monitor their... What to Do With a Debt Collections Item You Didn’t Know About Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera What to Do With a Debt Collections Item You Didn’t Know About If an unknown debt collection shows up on your credit report, getting a credit... 10 Reasons Why You Were Denied a Business Credit Card Learn why you were denied a business credit card, which may offer big rewards on your business expenses. Find out what you can do to get approved.