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.

What Happens to Student Checking Accounts After Graduation? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What Happens to Student Checking Accounts After Graduation? Student checking accounts typically convert to standard accounts after graduation, a... Bring Crisp, Clean U.S. Dollar Bills When You Travel to These Countries Find out which countries around the world will demand crisp, clean U.S. bills when converting currency. Learn why money exchanges have the rule of not accepting U.S. dollars that appear to be worn, marked, folded, and dirty. Use the travels tips that can help you avoid any issues with having the money to pay for things on your trips. Can You Open a Bank Account Without Parents Knowing? Find out how you can open a secret bank account without your parents knowing of its existence, including tips to hide the account on an ongoing basis. What to Do When the ATM Eats Your Check After an Unsuccessful Deposit Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What to Do When the ATM Eats Your Check After an Unsuccessful Deposit If an ATM fails to return your check, immediately contact your bank and gather... How to Protect Yourself Against Down Payment Wire Fraud Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton How to Protect Yourself Against Down Payment Wire Fraud Your eagerness to close the purchase on a new home could make you susceptible to... How to Find an Old 401k Account from a Previous Employer If you've lost track of an old 401(k) retirement account that you opened with a previous employer, learn what you can do to find and retrieve your money. Should Freelancers Get a Business Credit Card? Find out whether it is a smart financial move for freelancers to apply for a business credit cards. Learn when it makes sense for the self-employed to use a small business credit card. See if it is worth earning the rewards on business expenses or whether the interest rates and fees are make it impractical. Is It Better to Settle Credit Card Debt or Repay the Full Amount? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Is It Better to Settle Credit Card Debt or Repay the Full Amount? “Settlements” are often presented as attractive, favorable options to resolve... Why Were You Denied a Savings Account? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Why Were You Denied a Savings Account? It's fairly common for banks to deny you from certain services they offer, like... What Are Market-Linked CDs? Learn how market-linked certificates of deposit (CDs) work and how you can use it to grow your money. Find out about the advantages and disadvantages of market-linked CDs, especially when compared to traditional CDs. See if the earnings limits, FDIC insurance, and tax rules of these special CDs are right for your investment portfolio.