A low credit score can have ripple effects on your finances that are hard to ignore, and I don’t want that for you so this article is for you!! Credit scores affect not only your access to loans and credit cards but also interest rates on those products, eligibility for renting apartments, and even job applications in some cases. For people with ADHD, unique financial challenges can make maintaining a healthy credit score more challenging.

But here's the thing: while ADHD may create specific hurdles, there are strategies you can use to work with your brain rather than against it, protecting and even improving your credit score along the way.

How ADHD Can Impact Your Credit Score

Living with ADHD often means juggling challenges like time blindness, procrastination, impulse spending, and a lower tolerance for routines that others seem to handle without issue. When these tendencies extend to finances, they can create a perfect storm for credit issues. Here’s a quick look at how these ADHD traits can affect your credit score.

1. Late or Missed Payments
   Missing a payment can be easy to do if you struggle with time management or get overwhelmed by a long to-do list. Even one late or missed payment can leave a big ding on your credit score, as payment history is a major factor to your credit score (it counts for 35%).

2. High Credit Utilization (aka having a balance that is at or close to your credit limit)
   When you regularly use a high percentage of your credit limit, it impacts your credit utilization ratio, which makes up 30% of your credit score. High utilization (over 30%) is a common reason for a lower score.

3. Impulse Spending and Accumulating Debt
   Impulse spending can easily turn into debt accumulation. People with ADHD may spend impulsively (even financial coaches like me) as a form of stress relief or because they’re caught up in the moment, leading to balances that carry over month after month. The more debt you carry, the harder it is to pay down, which can impact your credit score.

4. Not Checking Credit Reports Regularly
   Keeping tabs on credit reports doesn’t usually make it to the top of the list for someone with ADHD. This means errors on reports can go unnoticed, or debt that might be better managed doesn’t get addressed until it's too late. Regular check-ins on your credit can be key for spotting and correcting issues.

Tips for Managing Credit Score Challenges

1. Automate Your Payments

Automation is your friend, especially if remembering deadlines feels impossible. Set up automatic payments on your credit cards, loans, and any other payments that show on your credit report. For credit cards, start with automating minimum payments to avoid any penalties; if you can pay more, set reminders to top up your payments as you’re able.

2. Use a Visual Reminder System

If automatic payments aren’t your thing, try a visual reminder system that you can integrate into your daily routine. Use sticky notes on your bathroom mirror, set reminders on your phone, or create a giant whiteboard calendar that you see every day. For many ADHDers, seeing those reminders frequently helps avoid missed payments.

3. Set Low Credit Card Limits to Control Impulse Spending

You might benefit from limiting the credit you can access easily. Having the card you use regularly set up with lower limit can reduce the potential damage of impulsive spending. If you find you’re struggling with impulse purchases, another option is to keep credit cards at home or freeze them in a “cooling-off” period container in your freezer OR if you know credit cards make it too easy for you to make impulse purchases and overspend, maybe it’s time to stop using them all together. Because closing an account (especially if you’ve had it for a long time) can hurt your credit score, you can cut up your credit cards so you don’t have access to them, but keep the accounts open.

4. Track Spending in Bite-Sized Sessions

Instead of overwhelming yourself with a full budget review, break down your spending reviews into small, ADHD-friendly steps. Dedicate five minutes each day or a quick session each week to track your spending. Use an app or a simple spreadsheet to keep it organized, but don’t stress about perfection—just focus on building awareness.

5. Create a Debt Payoff Plan You Can Stick To

Debt can feel impossible to conquer if you have ADHD. Instead of aiming to pay everything off at once, pick one debt and set small, manageable payoff goals. Consider using the “snowball” method: pay off smaller debts first to build momentum and see results faster. Or try the “avalanche” method, which targets higher-interest debts first to save on interest. Choose whichever method feels motivating for you.

6. Limit Open Credit Accounts

It’s tempting to have multiple credit cards or lines of credit, but managing them can get overwhelming fast. If you can, focus on just one or two primary credit cards and set aside any additional accounts. This limits the accounts you need to monitor, and having fewer open lines of credit can help keep you on track.

7. Use a Budget That Works with Your ADHD

Standard budgeting systems and advice can feel restrictive or hard to follow, but ADHD-friendly budgeting systems can look totally different. A big help can be separating money for spending, from money for bills, using different accounts. You can also check out this podcast episode that has more tips on budgeting for folks with ADHD. Finding something that works for you and is easy to maintain is the key to long-term success. If figuring out what works for you feels overwhelming, I’d love to chat with you to see if working together is a good fit to help you get started.

8. Set Up a Credit Check Day

Pick a day once a year (or every six months if you can) to check your credit reports with TransUnion and Equifax, Canada's two major credit bureaus. Checking your reports regularly ensures you catch errors and verify that your information is accurate. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate any positive changes in your credit score! Checking your own credit report does not impact your credit score, and you can do it for free. There are a few apps I love that can help you. Borrowell gives you access to your Equifax credit report, and Credit Karma shows you your TransUnion report. It’s important that you check both because if there are any errors they could only be on one or the other.

9. Find an Accountability Partner

An accountability buddy can make all the difference, whether it’s a friend, partner, or coach. Check-in with this person periodically to share progress, vent frustrations, or brainstorm solutions. Ideally, having a set time to connect can help you both with staying focused. When you have ADHD, accountability can be a game-changer, helping you stay motivated and focused.

10. Get Professional Help if Needed

Getting professional support is a great option if you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed. A financial coach who understands ADHD (like me!) can help you design a credit improvement plan that works with your natural tendencies and strengths. Sometimes, all it takes is a customized approach to make real progress with your credit and finances. I offer free consultations to ensure we are a good fit to work together.

Long-Term Habits for Better Credit

Improving your credit score is a long game, but the right habits make it much easier. Here are a few additional habits that can support a strong credit score over time:

• Practice Mindful Spending: Before every purchase, take a few seconds to ask yourself if it aligns with your financial goals. Simple habits like this can help curb impulse spending.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Every time you make a positive choice for your credit score—paying a bill on time, keeping your credit utilization low, or checking your credit report—celebrate it! This positive reinforcement can keep you motivated.

• Schedule Regular Financial Reviews: Set a monthly or quarterly “money date” with yourself to review your finances, including your credit score. Treat it as a routine check-in, not a chore. And yes, bring snacks.

Need Extra Support? Let's Talk!

If keeping up with these tips feels like a challenge, that’s completely normal—ADHD brains need different support than most “one-size-fits-all” advice. Book a free consultation with me today if you’d like extra guidance on managing your finances. We’ll look at your unique situation, and I can help you set up systems to keep your credit on track without added stress. Working together can help it feel less overwhelming, and any time we spend together is always judgement and shame-free because I know as a fellow ADHDer that you’re probably giving yourself a hard enough time about it!

Check out my podcast to explore money, ADHD, and their intersections more deeply or any other financial topics. My co-host and I talk about many different topics related to ADHD and money, and we publish a new episode every Thursday!

Remember, managing your credit score with ADHD might feel daunting, but with the right approach, you’ve got this! It’s all about finding methods that work for you and turning small wins into long-term progress.