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
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 2025: 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: 2025 Free Tax Prep Software Review
How much time, money, and—let’s face it, stress—did you spend doing your taxes last year?...
How Do Mortgages Work? The Beginner’s Guide to Navigating 2025 Home Purchases
Buying a home is exciting. A place you can call your own, where you don’t...
How to Buy a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Finding the Best Property for You
Homeownership is becoming further out of reach for many Americans. That’s likely why page views...
Home Improvement Financing: 7 Responsible Ways to Pay for Renos and Repairs
Your home is a part of your family. It might not eat food, but it...
Home Improvement Loan vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Is Best for You?
Nearly half of homeowners are planning home improvement projects in 2025, according to a survey...