Lindsay VanSomeren Profile Photo

Lindsay VanSomeren

Lindsay VanSomeren is a personal finance writer living in Suquamish, Washington. She's passionate about helping people learn how to manage their money better so that they can live the life they want. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, reading, and learning new languages and hobbies.

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

Can You Use Student Loans for a Car?

You can’t use federal student loans to buy a car, but private student loan lenders may allow it depending on your contract. Even...

Income-Based Student Loans

Income-based repayment has only been available for federal loans—until now. Find out how private income-based student loans work, and if they're a better...

College Ave vs. Discover: Student Loan Comparison

There are several different factors to consider when deciding between College Ave and Discover. Find...

Upgrade Personal Loans Review

Upgrade's personal loans are geared towards borrowers with fair credit. This review will explain how to apply for an Upgrade personal loan as...

ATV Loans & Other UTV Financing Options

ATV loans can help you afford the cost of an all-terrain vehicle. If you decide to get an ATV loan, it's important to...

Best Personal Loans in Washington State: 2025 Roundup

You have plenty of options for personal loans in Washington state through local or national...

Online Loans: Borrow Over the Internet

Online loans make borrowing cash easy and convenient. Here’s our list of some well-known online loan lenders for each credit category.

Can You Refinance Sallie Mae Loans? Yes—Here’s How, With Another Lender

Refinance Sallie Mae student loans to save money, pay it off faster, or release a...

Can’t Pay Student Loans? Here Are Your Options

If you cannot repay your student loans, you have five options to consider. You can...

Important FAFSA Deadlines for Financial Aid

The deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, for the 2022 to 2023 school year is June 30,...