Lindsay VanSomeren

Contributor

Lindsay VanSomerenLindsay VanSomeren is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance, credit, and insurance. Her work has been featured in publications like Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Credit Karma, The Balance, and Business Insider. Over nearly a decade, Lindsay has written hundreds of articles on topics like credit cards, debt management, and bank accounts, helping readers make informed decisions to improve their financial lives.

Lindsay’s passion for personal finance began after she graduated with two degrees in wildlife biology and conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, only to find herself underemployed and facing $100,000 in debt. Determined to take control of her finances, she learned how to manage money wisely and now uses her experience to help others make smart financial decisions.

When she’s not writing, Lindsay enjoys hiking, reading, homebrewing, travel hacking, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides.

Education

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks: B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation

Media Mentions

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn to learn more or check out her latest articles on DollarSprout.

5 Realistic Ways to Make Money on Facebook

Most people use social media for things like catching up with friends across the country, watching sports highlights, or reading the news. But now you can also use social media to make money, especially on popular platforms like Facebook. With millions of people on the site, it’s easy to see how bloggers, website owners, companies,…

Lindsay VanSomeren 03 Jun

5 Proven Ways to Make Money on YouTube (Ultimate Guide)

Every day, you hear about YouTube stars making millions of dollars from sharing their videos. There’s Ryan Kaji, an eight-year-old boy who made $26 million in 2019, just by reviewing toys on his YouTube channel.[1] Actors like Darren Criss and Rachel Bloom have also found their way from YouTube fame to movies and TV. If…

Lindsay VanSomeren 29 Jan

4 Legitimate Ways to Make Money on Twitter

Twitter has quickly become a grassroots way to reach other people. In 2019, an average of 330 million people used Twitter each month, according to the company. People use Twitter to check the news, interact with friends, and follow brands. All of that interaction can also lead to potential money-making opportunities. There are many ways…

Lindsay VanSomeren 21 Jan

11 Free Movie Websites for Your Next In-Home Movie Night

It’s no secret that paid TV services are expensive. That’s why, between 2012-2017, 10 million people decided to cut cable.[1] If you’re one of the people who gave up traditional cable but still want to watch TV, know that you still have options. There are plenty of free movie websites for you to access that…

Lindsay VanSomeren 19 Jan

23 Best Places to Sell Crafts Online

Making crafts is often an expensive hobby. But if you’re really talented or interested, you might be able to turn your hobby into a side hustle, and maybe even a full-time business. Just ask Alicia Shaffer, who makes $80,000 per month selling handmade clothes on Etsy. Alicia is probably an outlier, but since the craft…

Lindsay VanSomeren 18 Jan

4 Best Freelance Writing Courses (According to Writers)

If you’re a strong writer, freelance writing is one of the best ways to make money online these days. But if you’ve never done it before, it can be overwhelming to get started. By investing in an online writing course, you can quickly learn the skills you need to start your freelance writing business. How…

Lindsay VanSomeren 15 Jan

Peer-to-Peer Lending: How-to Guide for Borrowers & Investors

If you’re in the market for a loan, there’s a good chance you’ve come across “peer-to-peer” or “P2P” lenders. Peer-to-peer lending relies on a crowdsourcing model where other people can fund your loan. Unlike GoFundMe, these aren’t people you know. These are third-party investors. Peer-to-peer funding attracts two different types of people: borrowers who need…

Lindsay VanSomeren 18 Dec

6 Legal Ways to Get Free Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is the most popular online shopping subscription service available today. It’s estimated that more than four out of every five American households subscribe to Amazon Prime, and for good reason.[1] Besides all of the other features of Amazon Prime such as Prime Video, Prime Reading, and Whole Foods discounts, you can save a…

Lindsay VanSomeren 25 Nov

13 Legit Apps That Pay You to Walk

The gig economy has made it easy to earn money from home. But that often keeps you sitting in one place, working on a computer, driving a car, or using an app. And while it’s great for earning extra money, it’s not necessarily the best thing for your health.  That’s why many people look for ways…

Lindsay VanSomeren 24 Nov

Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps: What Are They and Do They Actually Work?

If you’re in debt, you know how much of a problem it can be. Debt can claim a large amount of your income, making it harder to balance your budget. And it’s an increasing problem among Americans. Almost 30% of Americans don’t have any emergency savings at all, according to a 2019 Bankrate survey.[1] If…

Lindsay VanSomeren 13 Nov