About Lindsay VanSomeren
Current Role
Personal finance writer
Expertise
- Mortgages
- Home Equity
- Personal Loans
- Student Loans
- Auto Loans
- Banking
- Budgeting
- Debt
- Credit
- Tax Relief
Degrees
- Bachelor's and master's degree in wildlife biology and conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Personal Finance Experience
Lindsay doesn't come from a traditional personal finance background, having originally trained to be a wildlife biologist in Alaska. She changed course after being driven nearly to bankruptcy from a combination of poor money management skills, a low income, and buying a home that turned out to be a lemon.
Happily, she's turned her financial life around and recently purchased a new home (the right way) in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Today she dedicates her time to helping other people learn how to manage their money better, too, whether that's through explainers, guides, company reviews, and more. Her work appears widely around the internet, and she's written more than a thousand personal finance articles for over 60 different websites.
Latest from Lindsay VanSomeren
Loans Like Rise Credit
When you need to borrow money, you can’t always afford to wait years until you’re a perfect loan candidate. That’s where lenders like...
Loans Like BMG Money: EarnIn, Upstart, Kashable, and More
Everyone experiences financial emergencies from time to time. If you have sufficient savings and a...
Why Am I Getting Tax Debt Relief Calls?
Being called up by a tax debt company can be a little disconcerting, to say the least. How did tax relief companies get...
Is CCS Offices a Legit Debt Collector? How to Handle Calls and Texts
Credit Collection Services (CCS) Offices is a legitimate debt collection company. But before you respond, it’s...
Is Unifin a Legit Debt Collector? How to Handle Calls and Texts
Getting a call from a company like Unifin out of the blue isn’t anyone’s idea...
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof?
Your home’s roof is your frontline protection against the elements and one of the most expensive parts of your home to replace. It...
27 Mortgage Costs and Lender Fees That Take New Homeowners By Surprise
A home is the largest purchase you’ll ever make, and that can be scary. You...
9 Expert Tips New Mortgage Borrowers Must Know Before Applying
Buying a home for the first time isn’t easy. I know; I’ve actually been a...
PenFed Mortgage Review 2026: Credit Union Rates, Requirements, and Programs
About PenFed Credit Union mortgages PenFed Credit Union is one of the nation’s largest credit...
Cash App Taxes: 2026 Free Tax Prep Software Review
How much time, money, and—let’s face it, stress—did you spend doing your taxes last year?...