Looking for a writer? You’ve come to the right place. I’m a freelance writer who works on projects about ways we seek to better our lives through education, jobs, personal goals, and personal finance.

I’ve written stories on slashing college costs, creating New Year’s resolutions you’ll actually keep, and giving your charitable donations a boost. I’ve profiled professors doing cancer research, college students making their campuses greener, and people who travel the world to help victims of natural disasters.

My work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

When I’m not writing, you’ll find me running around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, cheering for the Twins at the brand-new Target Field, and listening to podcasts. You can find links to my most recent work below.

Contact: erin@erinpeterson.com

Until now, that is.

In this story for Minnesota Monthly, I talked to more than a dozen people about what it feels like to do the sorts of things that most of us will never try—whether it’s winning a lutefisk eating contest, finding the Winter Carnival Medallion, or leaping into a frozen lake in the middle of January. Their answers are surprising, riveting, and more often than not, insightful.

Read the full story here.

Don was a talented athlete growing up, but got stuck in a sedentary job and developed unhealthy eating habits. When he tipped the scales at 330 pounds, he finally decided he had to change. What he did next was remarkable.

Read the full story of how he changed his life for the better here.

But what if you could get others to pay for something far more important—your child’s college education? In this story, which I did for SavingForCollege.com, I examine all the different ways you can get other people to contribute funds to your child’s 529 account. It’s not as hard as you think, and if you’re savvy, the end result could be hundreds, if not thousands, of additional dollars to help pay for college.

Read the full story here.

The economy might not be in shambles any more, but things aren’t exactly perfect. Wages are stagnant, and since raises aren’t in the offing for most workers, second jobs are popular ways to earn a little bit more cash.

If you’re looking for a great second job, look no futher. For this slideshow for Bankrate.com, I compiled a list of jobs that offer flexible hours, reasonable pay, and growth over the next decade. Start filling out those applications!

Check out the slideshow here.

But his latest challenge was something he’d never encountered in his directing life: he staged a production on water. On the Mississippi’s Centennial Showboat, to be more specific. For 10 weeks this summer, he’ll helm “The Triumph of Love,” a show created and performed almost entirely by University of Minnesota students. And while the site offered plenty of challenges, it also provided some remarkable opportunities.

To read more about his work and current production, check out the Minnesota magazine story here.

For 529 college savings plans, “starting early”  usually means when your baby is born. But for some super-achievers, saving for college starts even earlier. In this story, which I did for SavingForCollege.com, you can find out how you can help your child go to college—even before he or she is born.

Read the full story here.

What should you do if you find that your card is no longer worth the plastic it’s printed on? Read my story in CreditCards.com here.

But then I worked on a package of stories about bad credit for Bankrate.com, and I found out some clever ways that scammers unethically—and illegally—manipulate your credit. You can read about their shady (but ingenious) tactics here.

Back in high school, I got a gig with my local newspaper writing up short summaries of all varsity sports performances in a given week. I got paid next to nothing for the work, but I enjoyed talking with the athletes and the coaches, and I’d occasionally have a chance to shoehorn in the names of high school pals who played on those teams.

I don’t have the chance to write about sports much anymore, so when an editor from Minnesota Monthly called to ask if I was interested in writing a story about Lindsay Whalen, I couldn’t resist. Whalen was a basketball star for the University of Minnesota a few years back, and she’s gone on to make a name for herself in the WNBA.

Whalen has an irresistible story, and she’s one of the most delightful people I’ve had a chance to interview.

Read the full story here.