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 Makes a Bad 401(k) Plan? Learn about the different factors that make up a bad 401(k) plan, including fees and investment options. 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 Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton 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 Find out whether it is a smart move to take out a personal loan for the purpose of funding continuing education and additional classes. What You Have to Consider Before Lending Money to Family and Friends Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What You Have to Consider Before Lending Money to Family and Friends Money is a leading cause of stress in relationships, not just with couples but... What's a Good Credit Score For a College Student? Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton What's a Good Credit Score For a College Student? College is a great time to make memories, get a once-in-a-lifetime education, and... How to Protect Yourself Against Down Payment Wire Fraud Learn about one of the biggest scams that target home buyers who are about to close on their purchase: down payment wire fraud. Can Your Credit Score Suffer Because You Have Student Loans? Find out whether simply having student loan debt on your credit report can hurt your credit score, which may negatively affect your chances of qualifying for other loans in the future. Learn how your credit score is calculated and the different ways that student loans can have an impact on your credit. Compare Overdraft Protection Transfer Fees at the Top U.S. Banks Photo of Valerie Ashton Valerie Ashton Compare Overdraft Protection Transfer Fees at the Top U.S. Banks When your personal checking account balance dips below zero dollars, you have...