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
What Is Debt Relief? How It Works and Who It’s Actually For
Debt relief is a broad term used to describe programs that help people reduce or...
Should You Sell Your House to Pay Off Debt? How It Works and When It Makes Sense
Becoming a homeowner is usually a happy experience, but it can become bittersweet if you...
Can I Use a HELOC to Buy Property?
You can use a HELOC for just about anything you want, including buying a second property. Many homeowners have leveraged their first home...
What If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes? 12 Strategies to Explore
If you can’t pay your taxes, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Whether...
What Is an FHA Cash-out Refinance, and How Does It Work?
When you need to borrow a larger sum and have a fair amount of equity...
Chime MyPay 2026 Review: How It Works and Who’s Eligible
MyPay is an optional feature for people who use the Chime® online checking account. It...
Credit Genie Review 2026: High Fees and Low Advances—Better Alternatives Available
Credit Genie is a cash advance app that can lend you extra money if you’re...
Aspire Servicing Center for Student Loans: Full Guide and FAQs for Borrowers in 2026
Seeing Aspire Servicing Center on your student loan statement can raise questions—especially if you’ve never...
Apps Like EarnIn
Many of us have run into situations where we don’t have the cash we need before our next payday, especially if we’re still...
Nevada HELOC Rates and Lenders
The average Nevada homeowner gained an additional $35,000 in home equity over the last year. If you’ve been looking for a flexible way...