Good Finance Practices: 101
Money can be tricky for anyone, but throw ADHD into the mix (whether hyperactive 💥 or inattentive 🌪️) and it gets… let’s say extra. The good news? There are ways to outsmart both your brain and your bank account. Here are some ADHD-friendly money moves to keep your finances in check without totally killing your vibe.
ADHD-H: Hyperactive & Impulsive
1. Automate Your Money
Bills? Savings? Make them happen on autopilot. Automatic transfers and payments mean you don’t have to remember or resist the temptation to spend that money first.
Summer’s Pro Tip: Also set your credit cards to automatically pay the minimum payment due every month (or statement balance). This keeps your credit from getting dinged if you miss a payment.
Alex’s Experience: I’m constantly in my expense tracking app and I have a solid routine of balancing my budget every month, so I worry less about missing a payment and prefer zeroing out the cards every month to match my budget math.
2. Cash Envelopes
Old-school, but it works: assign cash to different categories. When the envelope is empty, spending stops. Instant boundary.
Summer hates cash. In their experience, “out of sight, out of mind”… and not in the best way. The world’s a little too digital for them and they risk impulse buying with this method. That being said, one way they curb impulse-buying is to put items in a cart and wait a day to hit “Buy”. If they forget about the thing, it isn’t purchased. Or, they buy things they can easily return.
Alex also isn’t a fan of cash, but does something similar in that they’re always looking at their TrackWallet app to see where they’re at in terms of certain budget categories. The green and red colors are pretty motivating for staying under the max amount each month. She doesn’t like red.
3. Short-Term Goals
Big financial goals feel overwhelming? Shrink them down into smaller ones you can actually celebrate (and by celebrate, we mean at least a happy dance in your kitchen).
Summer really struggles with celebrating any achievement, so although breaking things into smaller pieces does work for them. Impulse is to say that they’re actually better with long-term vs short-term goals. Hard to break things down, they want everything at once. Long-term goals mean they can shift between steps without the feeling of rigidity that locks them down. Checklists to follow come into play as learning tools, not necessarily framed as “short-term goals. How do I adapt my life to make it easy to have “XYZ Long Term Goal”?
4. Accountability Buddy
Money chats don’t have to be boring—grab a friend who’s good with numbers or at least good at reminding you not to buy a seventh water bottle. A buddy system can keep you grounded.
ADHD-I: Inattentive and Distracted
1. Simple Apps
Keep it easy. Find apps that give reminders, track spending, and don’t require a PhD to figure out.
Ooh, ooh! Alex loves these. My current favorite is Track Wallet (Android), but Dime is a good one on Apple. Since I automate bill payments, I don’t need reminders, but it’s a super simple app that doesn’t require a bank connection, which doesn’t work well considering how Summer and I share finances.
2. Visual Reminders
Charts, sticky notes, bright reminders—put them where your eyeballs can’t miss them. Out of sight = out of mind = late fees.
This is a super valid option, even though neither Alex or Summer are great at this. Every time Summer uses a sticky note, they find it months later. Alex has managed to automate most of her day-to-day tracking and, if there’s a major task that needs done, a reminder in Google Calendar does the trick.
3. Routine Check-Ins
Schedule a money date with yourself once a week or every other week. Put it in your calendar, set an alarm, bribe yourself with snacks—whatever it takes to make it happen.
4. Break It Down
Big financial tasks are scary. Slice them into bite-sized steps so they feel doable instead of impossible. ADHD loves tiny wins.
Tips for Everyone
1. Learn More
Knowledge = power (and fewer “oops” moments). Books, online courses, or even picking the brain of a financial advisor can give you a boost.
2. Make a Budget
Not glamorous, but it works. Use apps like TrackWallet or YNAB to keep your spending in check and your savings on track.
3. Build an Emergency Fund
Rainy days happen. Aim for 3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account. Future You will be very grateful.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Money + mindfulness = less chaos. A pause before spending, a quick meditation, or even asking “Do I actually need this?” can make a difference.
ADHD and money management aren’t natural BFFs, but with the right systems, you can totally make it work. The trick? Find what clicks for you, keep it simple, and celebrate progress (yes, even baby steps).