Overcoming Financial Anxiety: Practical Tips for ADHD Adults

Money often evokes strong emotions, and for many adults with ADHD, financial anxiety is a common experience. ADHD affects executive functioning, making tasks like budgeting, saving, and debt management more difficult to navigate. In their recent podcast episode, Alex and Katy shared their personal struggles with financial anxiety and offered practical tips for overcoming this all-too-common challenge within the ADHD community.

Financial anxiety in ADHD adults often stems from a sense of overwhelm. The complexity of managing bills, credit card payments, and long-term goals like retirement can feel paralyzing, especially when it feels like you’re falling behind. Alex shared his personal experiences with feeling out of control when it came to money. ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and procrastination often exacerbate these feelings, creating a cycle of avoidance that only makes the problem worse.

One of the key ways to reduce financial anxiety is by breaking down financial tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, instead of trying to tackle every bill and expense at once, prioritize one or two tasks each week. This could be as simple as setting up automatic bill payments or tracking daily expenses in a budgeting app. By focusing on incremental progress rather than the entire financial picture, ADHD adults can avoid feeling overwhelmed and slowly regain control over their finances.

For many in the ADHD community, asking for help can feel daunting, but reaching out to a financial advisor, therapist, or trusted friend can make a significant difference. A supportive person can offer guidance and help create an actionable plan that aligns with your financial goals.

Another helpful strategy Alex and Katy discussed is finding a financial system that works for your unique needs. Traditional budgeting methods might not work for everyone, particularly adults with ADHD, who may find rigid rules difficult to follow. Instead, Alex and Katy encourage experimenting with different approaches until you find one that feels manageable. For example, some ADHD adults benefit from a visual tracking system, where they can see their progress toward savings or debt repayment goals in real-time.

Reducing financial anxiety takes time, but with the right strategies and support, ADHD adults can build a sense of control and confidence in their financial lives.

To listen to this full podcast episode click here!