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 writer, speaker, and author of the book Mom's Got Money: A millennial mom's guide to managing money like a boss. She is the go-to personal finance expert for educated, aspirational moms who want to recapture their life passions, earn more, reach their goals, and take on a more active financial role in their families.
Named the Best Freelance Contributor for Personal Finance by the Plutus Foundation, her writing and expertise have been featured in dozens of notable publications and in national media. She founded her award-winning personal finance blog in 2010 and since then has become a sought-after speaker and leading voice in the personal finance space.
As a self-employed entrepreneur and mother, she spends her days writing for numerous publications, co-hosting her podcast called Five Year You, and raising her boy/girl twins.
Latest from Catherine Collins
HELOCs for Landscaping Projects
Many people don’t realize you can use a HELOC for landscaping. If you have equity in your home and big dreams of a...
Illinois HELOC Rates and Lenders
If you’re looking for Illinois HELOCs, it’s important to research to get the best rate and terms. Finding a lender that offers low...
New Hampshire HELOC Rates and Lenders
If you’re a homeowner in New Hampshire with significant equity in your house, you can tap into that equity by applying for a...
South Carolina HELOC Rates and Lenders
If you want to take out a HELOC in South Carolina, you have several great options from online lenders to local credit unions....
Vermont HELOC Rates and Lenders
If you need to access money and have significant equity in your Vermont home, one option to consider is taking out a home...
10 Reasons Your Student Loan Payment Increased (and What to Do About It)
Noticed your student loan payment went up and not sure why? You’re not alone. A...
When to Apply for Student Loans
Knowing when to apply for student loans is integral to the financial aid process. Most educational institutions have specific deadlines for submitting the...
Forbearance vs. Deferment for Student Loans: How They Compare and Which One to Choose
Struggling to make student loan payments? You may have options like forbearance or deferment. Both...
Student Loans for Parents With Bad Credit
If you have bad credit (a FICO score of 579 or below), getting a parent student loan can be tough. Many lenders either...
Can Student Loans Be Used for Rent?
College tuition is rising, but room and board are expensive, too—students who live on campus at a public four-year institution pay an average...