Lindsay VanSomeren Profile Photo

Lindsay VanSomeren

Lindsay VanSomeren is a personal finance writer living in Suquamish, Washington. She's passionate about helping people 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
  • 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

Student Loans for Veterinary School

Student Loans for Veterinary School

If you're considering student loans for veterinary school, it's important to understand your options, how to apply, and how to pay them off.

Can You Use Student Loans for a Car

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 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

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: Pros, Cons, Eligibility, and Alternatives

College Ave offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing. Find out what makes...

PenFed Personal Loans Review

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

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 Homepage

Upgrade Personal Loans: A Solid Pick for Fair Credit Borrowers [2026 Review]

Upgrade's personal loans are geared towards borrowers with fair credit. This review will explain how...

Ascent Homepage

Ascent Loans 2026 Review: Diverse Private Student Loan Options

Ascent offers student loans for undergraduates and graduates with or without a cosigner. Students who...

ATV Financing and Loans

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...