About Lindsay VanSomeren
Current Role
Personal finance writer
Expertise
- Mortgages
- Personal Loans
- Student Loans
- Auto Loans
- Banking
- Budgeting
- Debt
- Insurance
- Credit Cards
- Credit
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
Upstart vs. LendingClub Personal Loans
Upstart and LendingClub are two popular lenders that offer personal loans for various uses, such as consolidating debt, paying for home renovations, or...
How Does a HELOC Work?
Home equity lines of credit—or HELOCs, as they’re more commonly known—are one of the most popular tools that homeowners use to borrow against...
Best HELOC Rates in Virginia
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) offers peace of mind and flexibility to borrow money when you need it. Most HELOCs even...
What to Do If You’re Denied a Student Loan With a Cosigner
Most experts recommend using private student loans as a last-resort option to pay for college...
Personal Loans for Investments
It’s often best to avoid personal loans for investing because the risks are high, and it makes little financial sense. But can it...
Can You Refinance Your Auto Loan?
You can refinance your auto loan if you meet a lender’s requirements. Whether you should is another matter that depends on your goals...
What Is the Appraisal Process for Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit?
The HELOC and home equity loan appraisal process can look different today thanks to the...
How to Increase Your Credit Limit
In some cases, requesting a larger credit limit can help you make larger purchases and increase your credit score. Plus, it’s often easy...
How to Rehabilitate Student Loans
Unpaid student loans can haunt you forever. We’ll help you learn how to rehabilitate student loans so you can find a way out.
Student Loans for Physical Therapy School
DPT degrees aren’t cheap, but you can use federal and private student loans to help turn your dreams into reality.