15 Ways to Tame Out-of-Control Spending When You Have ADHD!
Last Updated on 05/11/2025 by Nicky
15 Ways to Tame Out-of-Control Spending When You Have ADHD
I know how much of a struggle it can be to manage your money when you have ADHD (diagnosed or undiagnosed, which is what I am).
You try to create and stick to a budget, but by the time you’ve closed the browser on your Google Sheet, you’ve already forgotten you created it.
And saving money? Yeah right… as if there was money left over at the end of the month to save. And paying bills on time is a nice thought, but who can remember to do it?
While I’m not by any means perfect (I mean, I just forgot to pay a bill a few months ago), I have come up with some super-easy and practical tips to help make you the boss of your money and not the other way around.
It’s time to tell our money where it should go and what it should do. The beauty of money is that it listens to you and does what you tell it to do.
You just have to know what to say to it, so that’s what we’re going to explore today.
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* Acknowledge The Challenge Of Saving Money With ADHD *
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Let’s be real—managing money with ADHD can feel like trying to herd a bunch of young squirrels who just learned to climb trees.
You start off with the best intentions: “This month, I’m gonna stick to my budget!” But then, before you know it, you’re standing in the checkout line at Dollar Tree, wondering how a quick trip for medicine turned into a $30 shopping spree.
Sound familiar?
ADHD and impulse spending go together like peanut butter and jelly—except instead of a tasty sandwich, you get an overdrawn bank account and a pile of stuff you don’t actually need.
It’s not that we don’t want to save money or be responsible. It’s just that our brains process decisions differently.
The instant gratification of buying something right now completely overrides that logical voice saying, “Maybe we should check my budget first.”
And let’s not even talk about the fun game of “Did I pay that bill or just think about paying it?” That conversation has happened more times than I can count.
If this sounds like your life, first of all, you’re not alone. So many of us with ADHD struggle with spending, budgeting, and financial organization. Our low levels of dopamine might play a part in our lack of impulse control (source).
But here’s the good news: just because our brains work a little differently doesn’t mean we’re doomed to financial chaos forever.
With the tips I’m going to share with you (and a little grace for ourselves), we can take control of our money instead of letting it control us.
But before we do that, I want to address something that I believe will be vital to your success.
* Practice Self-Compassion—You’re Not Bad With Money, Your Brain Just Works Differently *
I cannot say it enough…I am talking to myself in this section just as much as I’m talking to you because I fail at this… miserably.
But nevertheless, I know what I’m saying is right and true, even if I don’t practice it nearly as often as I should. What am I rambling about?
Self-compassion. Maybe you speak positively to yourself most of the time, but I don’t, and I know it’s a terrible habit.
But with all that being said… say this with me:
You are not bad with money. You’re not irresponsible. You’re not doomed to be broke forever.
(Did you say it… like out loud?)
The thing is, ADHD just makes money management harder, but not impossible. It’s not a personal failing—it’s brain chemistry.
If you’ve ever beaten yourself up over impulse spending, forgotten bills, or maxed-out credit cards, then we are in the same boat. I’ve been there and still am at times.
But shaming yourself won’t fix your finances—it just keeps you stuck in a cycle of guilt and avoidance… I know a thing or two about avoidance, which is why I allowed myself to get into so much debt.
Instead of spiraling into “why am I like this?” energy, try shifting to “how can I work with my brain instead of against it?”
Here are some ideas on how to do just that :
- Ask yourself why you want to buy this– Are you shopping because you’re stressed? Are you bored and need a dopamine hit? Whatever the reason, recognizing why you’re spending makes it easier to interrupt the pattern.
- Talk to yourself like you would a friend – If your best friend told you she messed up her budget, you wouldn’t beat her up and tell her what a failure she is. You’d encourage her and help her come up with a plan. Give yourself the same grace.
• Celebrate small wins – Did you pay a bill on time? Decided that the sale at Target wasn’t such an emergency after all? Actually looked at your budget BEFORE you bought something and decided against it? Yay! Those are wins. So acknowledge it. You did awesome!
ADHD brains thrive on positive reinforcement. I’ll usually say a small prayer of gratitude for those small wins.
You don’t have to be perfect with money to be better with money. Every step you take is progress, and progress always counts.
Ok, so now that we know not to beat ourselves up and to celebrate what we do right, let’s dive into some practical ways to rein in that balling with no budget spending, without feeling like you’re depriving yourself or fighting against your own brain.
* 15 Ways To Tame Out-of-Control Spending When You Have ADHD *
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So to keep everything nice and tidy, I’ve divided these tips into 3 different sections: tips to stay out of debt, tips to save money and build wealth, and tips to pay your bills on time and stay current.
* Section 1: Tips To Stop Overspending & Stay Out Of Debt *
ADHD and impulse spending go together like 🎶 like rama, lama, lama Kadingy, kading-a-dong 🎵 (I’m sorry I couldn’t resist) (source). But with a few tricks, you can rein it in:
1. Put a 24-Hour Or Longer Hold on Non-Essential Purchases –
That heady rush from impulse buying fades fast, but the credit card bill does not.
Oh, how I hate looking back at my bank statements and seeing all of the ridiculous charges therein.
It’s super painful. Instead, if you want something, add it to a wish list ( not your cart) and wait 24 hours or longer if you can. If you still really want it (and can afford it), wait one more day.
And if you still want it (and haven’t forgotten about it completely which is what I tend to do), then go for it! You’ve practically earned it at that point.
2. Use a separate debit card for variable expenses –
This has been an absolute game-changer for me. I have my main bank account where my direct deposit goes. I pay all of my fixed, regular bills from that account.
For variable non-regular expenses like gas, groceries, and fun/ entertainment, I have a separate debit card.
Having a separate account for my variable spending allows me to have the structure and boundaries I so desperately need when it comes to spending. I now live within my budget (mostly).
3. Unsubscribe from Retail Emails & Delete Shopping Apps –
Marketers know how to prey on our weaknesses. So it’s best to make a premeditated effort to go on the offensive. How do you do that.
You cut off their air supply by unsubscribing from their sales emails. Then, after you do that, remove shopping apps from your phone. Out of sight, out of mind (and out of your wallet).
Now, have I done this personally? No, honestly. But I’m good at just ignoring all of the “urgent” sales and “too-good-to-be-true” deals that litter my inbox.
But if you’re not, the best approach might be to unsubscribe and delete.
4. Block Temptation with a Website Blocker –
If you catch yourself online shopping out of boredom, use an app like Freedom or StayFocusd to block those sites during your weak moments.
You can’t spend what you can’t see! Disclaimer: I have not used either of those apps and cannot confirm nor deny how good they are.
5. Make a Budget That Actually Works for ADHD (meaning one that works for you) –
If you’re a Dave Ramsey fan, you may have heard him mention the Every Dollar app.
I was really excited to use it, but as soon as I tried it, I hated it. And yet he will claim that it is the only budgeting app you will ever need.
Moral of the story: it doesn’t matter what other people claim is so amazing. I don’t believe there is one app perfect for everyone.
And I definitely don’t believe there is an app that is perfect for all people with adhd because we are all so different. You might prefer a budget planner like this one LINK.
Or you might like digital options like a spreadsheet, but hate using apps. I like using a combination of paper and digital. I finally have a budget spreadsheet that works well for me, and I’ve been sticking with that. But it’s taken me years to figure out which method works best for me.
So if you haven’t found one, don’t give up yet. Keep tweaking your system until you create one that is perfect for how your brain works.
* Section 2: Save Money & Build Wealth (Without Thinking About It!) *
The only reason I have any money saved is because I automate it.
6. Set Up Automatic Transfers to Savings –
Pick a set amount (even $5 is a start!) and have it transferred to savings before you can spend it. Out of sight, out of reach, out of your hands.
What I do in my budget is treat my savings like I would the electric bill or the water bill.
My savings “bills” get deducted from my regular account to a separate high-yield savings account, just like a credit card bill will get deducted from my account.
Except the money is going to me, and it is building wealth, which is far more exciting than paying the cell phone bill.
7. Use the “Round-Up” Trick –
Some banks and apps (like Acorns or Chime) round up your purchases and put the spare change into savings. It’s an easy way to build your stash without noticing. Ally Bank has something called savings boosts, which is what I use.
8. Hide Your Savings Account –
If you keep dipping into savings, move it to a separate bank or rename it something like “DO NOT TOUCH” or “Emergency Fund Only.”
Out of sight, out of reach. If you notice, I mentioned earlier that I transfer money from my main bank account into a high-yield savings account.
I keep the balance in my main account fairly low, really just enough to pay bills. And with my high-yield savings account, I make it harder to access the money by not using a debit card with that account.
9. Try the “No-Spend” Challenge –
Pick one day a week (or a whole weekend) when you don’t spend anything. No takeout, no impulse buys, nothing. It trains your brain to pause before spending. I know it’s hard, but trust me, you can do it.
10. Start Investing Automatically –
ADHD brains love immediate gratification, but investing is a long game, so it can feel unappealing. But in the long run, it’s worth it if you stick with it.
Use apps like Robinhood or Betterment to invest small amounts automatically. Even $10 a month adds up over time, and then you can slowly increase it. I used to use Betterment, but I plan to switch to Robinhood very soon.
Want some more advice on how to make smarter financial decisions? 7 Cringe-Worthy Habits That Keep Christians Stuck In Debt & How To Find Freedom!
* Section 3: Stay on Top of Bills & Avoid Late Fees *
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Remembering to pay bills on time is a nightmare, so set it up so that you don’t have to remember them.
11. Automate Every Bill You Can –
If the bill is predictable, automate it. Set up autopay for rent, utilities, and minimum debt payments so they happen without you forgetting.
I had most of my bills automated, but for some reason, years ago, I didn’t have my water bill on autopay. So imagine my surprise when I came home from work one day, turned on the kitchen faucet, and only a drop or two of water came out.
I had forgotten to pay my water bill, and boy oh boy did I pay for that. I had to pay to get my water turned back on, my initial fee that was waived because my credit was so good, and pay the regular water bill.
Needless to say, I put that on autopay immediately after.
12. Set Up Reminders (In Multiple Places!) –
If, for some reason, you don’t like autopay, put bill due dates on your phone calendar, set alarms, and even write sticky notes. ADHD-proofing means using all the reminders.
I have a command center in my office and I pin bills and other documents with due dates on it. Then I write the due date in Sharpie, and I make the due date at least 4 days before it’s actually due.
I always forget that I do that, and I’m pleasantly surprised to have more time than I realized.
13. Use a Separate “Bills Only” Bank Account –
Transfer just enough money to cover bills each month so you don’t accidentally spend it. This keeps your bill money safe from impulse buys.
Like I said before, my main bank is where my direct deposit goes, and I keep the balance low so that I only use it for fixed bills.
For variable bills, I have a separate checking account, and I transfer a specific amount into it every time I get paid. That way, I don’t overspend on irregular expenses like groceries, gas, etc.
14. Pay Bills the Moment You Get Paid –
Before you even think about spending, knock out your bills first. That way, even if you forget later, they’re already handled. Like for my rent, now I pay it, the day I get my paycheck.
I used to wait way too long, and then I’d find that my money was gone and I hadn’t paid my rent yet. I don’t do that anymore. It’s too risky. I like the peace of mind knowing that payment is out of the way.
15. Use a Bill Tracking App –
If remembering due dates is a struggle, use an app like Prism or Truebill to keep everything in one place. Some even alert you before bills are due!
Side note: If you have a habit of paying your credit card bills on time but have one late payment, call and ask to have those late fees removed. I’ve done that many times, and they remove it basically every time.
* What Money Spending Tips Will You Try?*
Whew… I know that’s a long list, but don’t let it overwhelm you.
You don’t have to make all these changes at once. Managing money with ADHD isn’t about willpower—it’s about setting up systems that work with your brain, not against it.
You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to make small changes that add up over time. Try a few of these tips and see what sticks—your future self (and your bank account) will thank you!
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Financial Disclaimer: Healthy As You Can (blog posts & products) is not offering any kind of financial advice. Any financial results discussed on this blog are not typical or guaranteed. Healthy As You Can is not a registered financial, investment, legal, tax advisor, or broker. This blog is for information and entertainment use only. A financial fund’s past performance does not predict or forecast its future results.
