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 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? 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? 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? 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? 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. 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 Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton 9 Signs That You Have Too Much Debt Almost all Americans have debt. Debt is normal, and for many, necessary to... 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? Find out whether it is better for you to pay off the smallest balance or highest APR when choosing which credit card debt to focus on repaying. When to Use Personal Loan to Fund Continuing College Education Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton When to Use Personal Loan to Fund Continuing College Education Taking out a student loan to fund your education is the most widely used financing...