ADHD and Money Management: Tips from a Financial Adviser

ADHD and money management don’t always go hand-in-hand. And that’s no surprise! Future planning can be tricky for anyone, but when you add challenges like impulse control and executive dysfunction, it’s easy to see why many adults with ADHD can feel overwhelmed or out of control when it comes to their finances.

To explore this further, we spoke with Shalini – Chartered Financial Planner, founder of Her Financial Planning, and an expert in helping clients navigate the unique challenges of ADHD and money management.

Hi Shalini! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in Financial Planning?

Hi! I’m a Chartered Financial Planner, which basically means I help people figure out how to reach their financial goals, whether that’s saving for the future, investing wisely, becoming more tax efficient, or planning for retirement.

I’ve always been one of those strange people who loves numbers! I studied Economics and eventually set up my own firm, Her Financial Planning. The financial world can be very male-dominated, and I wanted to create a space where women are genuinely supported when it comes to money.

You mentioned that you work with clients with ADHD. What do you think draws them to seek your help? 

Money management can be especially tricky when you’re living with ADHD. Many of my clients have told me that what really drew them in was knowing they wouldn’t be judged. I keep things simple and jargon-free, because when you understand your money, you can start to feel in control of it.

Overwhelm is a big one. When it all feels like too much, it’s easy to ignore your finances completely. I help break things down into small, manageable steps. After all, most of us were never taught how to handle money in school, so it’s completely normal to feel like you don’t know where to start.

Also, I know that things like pensions and long-term savings aren’t exactly the most exciting of topics, especially when delayed gratification is already a challenge! I help deal with the boring bits, so you don’t have to.

From your experience, what are some common financial challenges that people with ADHD might face? 

There are definitely some common patterns I see, including:

• Impulse spending (for that quick dopamine boost)
• Struggles with budgeting or long-term planning
• Switching jobs frequently, which leads to scattered pensions
• Missed payment deadlines and the late fees that follow

I also notice that some of my ADHD clients might take a bit longer to get back to me about booking meetings, which is fine. I’m here to give them a gentle nudge when needed!

For someone with ADHD who feels overwhelmed by their finances, what can they do to make things more manageable? 

A few small changes can make a big difference:

• Resist the urge to fix everything at once. Start small. Maybe cancel some unused subscriptions before moving on to something like tidying up old pensions.
• Automate what you can. Set up your bills and savings to run in the background so you’re not relying on memory.
• Use visual tools like trackers or charts to help make your progress feel more real, especially if numbers aren’t your thing.
• Pair money admin with something that gives you dopamine. Your favourite coffee, a good playlist, or a treat afterwards.

Can you recommend any specific tools that work particularly well for neurodivergent clients?

It’s all about finding what works best for you, and sometimes that takes a bit of trial and error. But here are some helpful tools that many of my clients find useful:

• Banking apps that break spending into categories and send notifications. 
• Direct debits and automatic savings
• Calendar reminders for important dates like bill payments or renewal deadlines.
• Physical aids, like whiteboards or sticky notes, if phone alerts are too easy to ignore.

Do you have any tips on managing impulsive spending?

These days, impulsive spending is so easy. Most of us barely use cash anymore, and with just a couple of taps on our phone, the money’s gone.

One thing that can really help is deleting shopping apps that you find yourself browsing out of habit. You might also want to unsubscribe from marketing emails that tempt you into buying things you don’t really need.

If you spot something you do want to buy, try using the “24-hour rule” (give yourself a day to think it over before purchasing). Or start a wish list instead of buying things straight away.

How can someone with ADHD make the most out of working with a professional like you?

First off, just taking the step to reach out is something to be proud of. It’s often the hardest part. When we start working together, honesty really helps. Don’t feel like you need to have everything figured out. Trust me, most people don’t!

Think about what you’d like to achieve financially, even if it feels a bit far off. Having a clear goal, or even just a direction, gives us something to work toward together. I can also be your accountability partner. In other words, someone to check in with and help you stay on track when things get busy or overwhelming.

And if your life circumstances change, like a new job or a family shift, keeping me in the loop means your financial plan can stay relevant and work for you.

What would you say to someone who feels ashamed or discouraged about their financial situation?

You’re definitely not alone.

We weren’t taught how to manage money in school, and so many smart, capable people feel exactly the same way.

Burying your head in the sand only makes things harder in the long run. Debts grow and opportunities to save are missed. But by taking even a small action, you’re already moving in the right direction. 

At Her Financial Planning, Shalini offers personalised financial guidance that empowers women, whether you have ADHD or not. If you’re looking for judgement-free support that’s free from jargon, and want to feel truly heard when it comes to your money, reach out to Shalini today.