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
College Ave vs. Discover: Student Loan Comparison
There are several different factors to consider when deciding between College Ave and Discover. Find...
College Ave Student Loans Review 2025: Best-in-Class Private Loan Options
College Ave offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing. Find out what makes...
PenFed Personal Loans Review: Solid Banking, With Even Better Borrowing Options
PenFed offers affordable personal loans but there are strict credit score and income requirements, and...
Avant Personal Loans Review: Quick Loans, but at a High Cost
Avant offers personal loans to qualified borrowers, including those with less-than-perfect credit. This Avant personal...
Upgrade Personal Loans: A Solid Pick for Fair Credit Borrowers [2025 Review]
Upgrade's personal loans are geared towards borrowers with fair credit. This review will explain how...
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...
5 Reputable Personal Loan Lenders with a 100% Online Application Process
Online loans make borrowing cash easy and convenient. Here’s our list of some well-known online...
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...