Managing money with ADHD can feel like running uphill – deadlines slip, receipts go missing, and the numbers start to blur. If you’ve ever struggled with budgeting, tax deadlines or money management, you’re not alone. But ADHD doesn’t mean you’re bad with money; you just need to find a system that works for you.
The impact of ADHD on your financial wellbeing
The so-called ‘ADHD tax’ – late fees, forgotten renewals, impulse spending, even out-of-date food – adds up, not because of carelessness, but because traditional financial systems aren’t built for ADHD brains. The good news? You can make your finances work for you.
Develop systems that work for your brain, not against it
Here are some ADHD-friendly strategies that can make a real difference:
- Digitise receipts immediately
Use apps like Xero to photograph and upload receipts as soon as you’re handed them. Once it’s in the system, bin the paper. It removes steps, reduces clutter and stops small tasks piling up. If you put it down, you may find it takes a while to pick it back up again – if at all. - Automate your bills
Set up direct debits or recurring calendar reminders so essentials are always covered. Pair checking your bills with an existing habit – your Monday coffee, your first email check of the day – until it eventually becomes routine, not a chore. Once you start seeing the results, it’s something you’ll enjoy rather than dread. - Track subscriptions and contract renewals
Keep a simple spreadsheet of renewal dates or add them to your digital calendar with a reminder one month before they’re due. Review whether you still need the service or could downgrade to save money. Your future self will thank you if you keep a list of all the details – it’ll save time hunting them down (and getting distracted) when you need them urgently. - Break down big admin tasks
Rather than tackling tax returns all at once, spread the work out: upload receipts one week, check invoices the next. - Habit stack your finances
Link small financial habits to daily routines – check your bank balance when you make tea, or file receipts after sending an invoice. Small, consistent actions help keep overwhelm at bay.
And finally – let professionals do the bits you don’t want to do.
If managing your finances feels harder than it should, that’s not a failure – it’s a sign you need tools that suit your brain. Accountants chose this career because they like the structure, the numbers and the systems. Using one isn’t a weakness; it’s smart resource management. Let us handle the compliance, so you can focus on your creativity, your clients and your growth.
Need help managing your finances? Our team at Cottons Group can help you stay organised, meet tax deadlines and take control of your money – without the overwhelm. Contact us today, to let us take the mental weight of finances off your shoulders.