Catherine Collins Profile Photo

Catherine Collins

Catherine Collins has been featured on Good Morning America and in The New York Times, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and other leading media outlets.

About Catherine Collins

Current Role

Personal finance writer and author

Expertise

  • Budgeting
  • Mortgages
  • Home Equity
  • Credit
  • Debt
  • Investing
  • Personal Loans
  • Small Business
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Student Loans

Achievements

  • Plutus Award Winner For Best Freelance Contributor For Personal Finance

Degrees

  • Bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary, Master's degree in history from Virginia Tech University

Personal Finance Experience

Catherine Collins is a nationally recognized personal finance writer, speaker, and author of the book Mom's Got Money: A Millennial Mom's Guide to Managing Money Like a Boss. Named the Best Freelance Contributor for Personal Finance by the Plutus Foundation, her expertise focuses on budgeting, mortgages, debt management, home equity, and family finances.

Catherine launched her award-winning personal finance blog in 2010 and has spent over a decade helping readers build wealth, improve financial literacy, and navigate complex financial decisions. Beyond her work at LendEDU, she is the co-host of the Five Year You podcast and a frequent speaker on personal finance and entrepreneurship. As a self-employed mother to twins, she is especially passionate about empowering women and families to build financial confidence and long-term security.

1. https://abcnews.com/video/34623084/
2. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-nobody-tells-you-about-the-first-3-months-of-motherhood_b_5519562
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/business/parents-kids-social-inequality.html
4. https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/what-is-a-4-withdrawal-rate-how-it-might-haunt-your/426891

Latest from Catherine Collins

6 Ways You Can Go to College for Free (and Advice If You Can’t)

6 Ways You Can Go to College for Free (and Advice If You Can’t)

If you want to learn how to go to college for free, you’re in the...

How to Borrow Against Your Pension [and Best Alternatives]

How to Borrow Against Your Pension [and Best Alternatives]

Retirement is a dream for many, but it can also come with unexpected expenses. If...

3 Best Rent-to-Own Companies of 2025

Best Rent-to-Own Companies of 2026: Industry Changes & Options

For many people, buying a home can feel like a distant dream right now. Rent-to-own...

How Does Rent-to-Own Work? Understanding the Process, Pros and Cons, and When It’s Right for You

How Does Rent-to-Own Work? Understand the Process, Pros and Cons, and When It’s Right for You

Many people want to own a home, but getting there can be challenging given the...

Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) for Mortgages: What You Need to Know

The Complete Guide to Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

Most people know having good credit helps you qualify for a loan, but its lesser-known...

9 Smart Alternatives to a Reverse Mortgage

9 Smart Alternatives to a Reverse Mortgage

If you’re considering getting a reverse mortgage (or your parent told you they might apply for one), there are pros and cons to...

Second Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC: What's the Difference?

Second Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC: What’s the Difference?

If you’re a homeowner who wants to tap into your home equity, you have several...

How to Improve Your Credit Score and Open Financial Doors: Short and Long-Term Strategies

How to Improve Your Credit Score in 3 Months—and Beyond

Have you been declined much-needed funding due to a low or non-existent credit score? Are...

What to Expect From the Trump Administration on Student Loan Forgiveness

What to Expect From the Trump Administration on Student Loan Forgiveness

If you’re unsure about the future of student loan forgiveness, join the club (it has...

The Ultimate Playbook for Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

The Ultimate Playbook for Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time [6 Steps]

Figuring out how to sell and buy a home at the same time doesn’t need...