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.

How to Get a Mortgage If You’re Self-Employed, a Small Business Owner or Gig Worker Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Get a Mortgage If You’re Self-Employed, a Small Business Owner or Gig Worker There are millions of self-employed people in the United States. This includes... Can You Take Out a Personal Loan for Closing Costs? Find out if you can use a personal loan to help finance and pay for the closing costs, which can be substantial, on a new home purchase. Should You Use a HELOC to Buy a Car? Learn about the pros and cons of using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to buy a car, including the risks and costs involved. BankAmeriDeals Rewards Review 2023: Earn More Rewards at Specific Brands Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera BankAmeriDeals Rewards Review 2023: Earn More Rewards at Specific Brands Savvy shoppers are always on the hunt for a good deal. This is why they raid... The Best Steps to Take After Paying Off Your Mortgage Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera The Best Steps to Take After Paying Off Your Mortgage Sending in the last payment for your mortgage is a major financial milestone that... Denied a Secured Credit Card? What You Can Do About It Learn about the steps you should take if you‘ve been recently denied a secured credit card -- including other methods to consider for building good credit. Should You Get a Secured Business Credit Card? Find out whether it makes sense to apply for a secured business credit card to help build credibility for future business loans and credit lines. How Old Should Your Children Be to Get Their First Credit Card? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera How Old Should Your Children Be to Get Their First Credit Card? Most young adults can’t wait to get their first credit card. But getting a credit... Homeowners Insurance Canceled: Next Steps to Ensure Coverage Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Homeowners Insurance Canceled: Next Steps to Ensure Coverage Insurance isn’t required by law, but a policy can protect your finances and... Where to Find Personal Loans for First Responders Find out where first responders can turn to for personal loans that may have special discounts, lower interest rates, and better repayment terms.