ADHD and Money: Why You’re Not Bad, You Just Haven’t Been Shown the Right Tools
If you have ADHD (which you probably do because you’re here 😊), you’ve probably felt that sinking feeling when you look at your bank account or credit card balance, and think, “Why can’t I get my shit together?” Or maybe you’ve tried everything, budgeting, apps, spreadsheets, even financial advice from well-meaning friends or family, only to abandon it after a few weeks. And now you’re starting to believe it: that maybe you’re broken and are destined to always be “bad with money.”
Let’s start by getting really clear on something: you’re not bad with money and you’re not broken. You’re living with an ADHD brain navigating a world of money systems and advice that weren’t designed for you. And that’s why so many traditional tools and advice fail, leaving folks with ADHD thinking it’s them. 🙁
Here’s the truth: ADHD brains need the right tools, not just more willpower, because willpower is BS!
Why traditional money advice often fails our ADHD brains
It assumes we can do consistency: Most advice assumes you can check your bank account every day, track every expense, and remember all your deadlines. That’s a lot of executive functioning that ADHD often makes tricky.
It relies on motivation: Ever tried budgeting when you felt unmotivated or exhausted? Yeah… didn’t last long.
It ignores your values: A strict, cookie-cutter budget doesn’t account for what actually makes you feel safe, secure, or happy.
So if you’ve tried a million systems and abandoned them, it’s not you, it’s the system. And the good news? There are ADHD-friendly approaches that work because I have seen the impact they can have in a short period of time!
Tools and strategies that actually help ADHD brains
Separate your money: Multiple accounts or categories help your brain “see” the money flow and not have to do mental math to figure out if you can hit buy now! This reduces overwhelm and makes money decisions easier.
Automate what you can: Automate bills, savings, and even investments. Less remembering = less stress. Partnering this with a clear plan and separating you money and it will give you confidence in automating. Grab my ADHD Money Starter Kit to build your plan.
Micro check-ins: Instead of a 2-hour monthly review, do a 10-minute weekly check-in. Consistency over intensity. Partner it with a visit to your local coffee shop and a little treat to make it a day you look forward to!
Values-based spending: Figure out what matters to you (coffee, travel, experiences, building your emergency fund to create some security) and make those a non-negotiable part of your budget. You’ll feel less restricted, which makes it easier to stick with.
Build in Rewards: Finding ways to celebrate your wins, even the small ones, and gamify saving can make a huge difference. Checked in on your money every week this month? Celebrate by adding $ to your impulse spending account.
Your brain + the right tools = lasting change
The shift comes when you stop blaming yourself and start working with your brain. The right systems, built for ADHD, can make managing money feel less like a daily struggle you avoid and more like a dopamine generating tool to help you keep going!
Small wins add up. Even one habit that sticks, paying bills automatically, separating accounts, or doing a weekly money check-in, can make a dramatic difference in your confidence and clarity. We can often get discouraged because we come out of the gate with plans to do all the things, all the time and then lose steam because all the things can take a lot of mental effort. By starting small, you can create sustainable change in one area before you add in something else.
Parting thoughts 🤑
If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, it’s not a reflection of your abilities. You just haven’t found the tools that fit your brain and feed it dopamine! I hope this article has inspired you to make even one change to help you see that you don’t suck with money, and that you are capable of change. ♥️
But, if you’re done trying to do it on your own, know that there is support out there for you. I help folks with , including service-based entrepreneurs, create systems that actually stick, no cookie-cutter budgets, no shame, just practical steps that work for you partnered with accountability and a cheerleader for your wins. If you want to explore what that looks like, you can book a free consultation here to see if financial coaching wtih me is a good fit.
Remember: you’re not bad with money. You just haven’t been shown the right tools — yet.
