10 ADHD Money Tips to Help You Budget, Save, and Spend Smarter
Managing money when you have ADHD can feel like you’re running a race that never ends while someone keeps shouting, “Just make a budget!” Traditional advice often assumes we can remember every due date, resist every impulse, and neatly track receipts. But if we could do that, we would! If you’ve ever found a utility bill stuffed in a random drawer or wondered, “Wait…did I already pay that?” you’re not alone.
ADHD money management isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, clever hacks that work with your brain, not against it. Here are 13 ADHD-friendly money tips, each with one tiny action step you can try right away.
1. Use Separate Bank Accounts
Impulse spending used to eat into your bill money in the blink of an eye. Having at least two accounts, one for bills, one for bills, helps you make spending decisions without having to do any mental math.
Small step: Open a second account for spending and transfer a set amount each payday. Or better yet, ask if your pay can be divided up into multiple deposits so you don’t even have to transfer $!
2. Use Visual Reminders for Bills & Goals
If something’s out of sight, our ADHD brains assume it doesn’t exist. Colourful sticky notes on the fridge or phone reminders timed to align with our bill due dates help bring money back into view.
Small step: Create one visual reminder for the bill that is the most challenging for you to remember (like the one that always ends up in your junk mail)
3. Add “Impulse Barriers”
Ever wake up one morning and suddenly find Amazon packages on your doorstep? Packages that you have no idea what could be in them? Adding small speed bumps helps you reduce the likelihood of this happening.
Small step: Delete saved card details from one online store today. It sounds silly, but the need to get up and get your card can often be enough of a pause. Bonus points for deleting cards from Apple/Google pay!
4. Create a “Drop Zone” for Papers
Do your bills and receipts used to end up in coat pockets, glove boxes, or even between book pages? Now, everything goes into one basket.
Small step: Pick a box or folder, throw all money papers there. Sorting comes later. At least when they’re all in one spot, you know where they are.
5. Use Timers to Stay on Track + Get Started
Are money tasks dragging on for hours or getting ignored forever? A timer can help. Both help keep you on task and make getting started feel easier. 10 minutes of managing your money won’t kill you, right?
Small step: Set a 10-minute timer to take action with one or two other items on this list. Stop when it rings. Done.
6. Build Routines, Not Rules
Rigid systems collapse under ADHD pressure. They may give you dopamine for a little while, but then it wears off, and we abandon it! But linking small money tasks to daily habits? That is way more sustainable.
Small step: Check your bank balance while sipping your morning coffee once a week.
8. Make Savings Forget-Proof
If we see the money, it will likely get spent! If it vanishes before you notice it’s there, it grows.
Small step: Automate transferring $10 from each paycheck into savings. Out of sight, out of mind. Why not use one of our challenges to our advantage?
8. Keep Cash for Impulse Buys
Swiping doesn’t feel real. Cash does. This can be so impactful for spending that can add up fast without us realizing it, like our coffee runs.
Small step: Withdraw your weekly “fun money” in cash. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
9. Reward Yourself for Consistency
Updating a budget or paying your bills isn’t thrilling, but pairing it with dopamine helps.
Small step: After a money check-in, give yourself a small treat, coffee, a walk, your favourite podcast, or all of the above!
10. Don’t Do It Alone
It’s easy to avoid looking at your finances for weeks when you’re going it alone. But sharing goals with a friend (or ADHD money coach) can create accountability and help you keep going when things get tough.
Small step: Ask a buddy to check in on one money task with you this week.
You don’t need to take action on all 10 of these tips today. Pick one or two to get started and add a phone reminder with the article link to come back to in a week. ADHD money management is about progress, not perfection. Even the smallest win (like avoiding a late fee or saving $10) is worth celebrating.
Want More ADHD-Friendly Money Support?
📲 Follow me on Instagram for daily ADHD money tips & laughs.
📝 Grab my free budget template
🎙️ Listen to the Money Mindset Podcast for honest conversations about ADHD and finances.
Your ADHD brain is creative, resilient, and resourceful. You just need systems built to match it. If you’re ready for change, but need a little help to get there, let’s build them together. Get started with a free call to see if we are a good fit.
