Why You Think Budgeting Sucks as an ADHDer (and why it really doesn't 🤑)

If hearing the word budget makes you cringe, like it does for so many, I’m glad you’re here! This is common, especially for those of us with ADHD. Budgeting feels restrictive, boring, and overwhelming AF, leading us to avoid them at all costs! If you’ve tried (and failed) to stick to a budget before, you’re not alone (you’re actually in a very crowded space)! And for the record, I had the phrasing ‘stick to a budget’ because it adds to the feelings of restriction and failure.

Your resistance isn’t laziness or lack of discipline—it’s often tied to deeper feelings about money and the way traditional budgeting methods clash with ADHD brains.

I’m going to share a few highlights on why budgeting gets a bad rap and some guidance on how to shift your mindset so budgeting feels empowering instead of draining.

1. the word Budget = Restrictive in your mind

The challenge:
The word “budget” often conjures up images of cutting out everything fun—no more lattes, no more vacations, no room for spontaneity, and especially no room for impulse shopping! For ADHDers who thrive on novelty and flexibility, these thoughts of restriction can translate to avoiding our finances and budgeting, which tends to lead to more stress and anxiety around money, which I don’t want for you.

Flip the script:
A budget isn’t about restriction; it’s about intention and freedom. Think of it as a spending plan, and give it a name that excites you, like your ‘Financial Freedom Plan.’ Think of it as your opportunity to prioritize what you care about most. Want to keep your daily coffee shop run? Cool! A good budget balances makeing space for the things you love while also including all of your essentials.

2. Traditional Methods Are Overly Complicated

The challenge
Most budgeting systems come with a million categories, a long list of rules, and steps that can feel impossible to manage, including tracking where every dollar goes. For an ADHD brain that’s already juggling 1,000 tabs (literally and figuratively), it’s easy to give up before you’ve even started.

Flip the script:
Ditch the complicated systems and focus on finding what works for you. You don’t need 20 budget categories or daily tracking to succeed. Try starting with three buckets: bills (like rent and insurance), spending (for things like groceries, restaurants, and misc spending), emergency savings (for when life happens). This is a solid way to avoid spending hours tracking each week or month because the different accounts help you quickly see where you’re at. By focusing on your spending account and making decisions around the balance and when you’ll add money to it next, can help in many ways.

Having an overall plan to know how much to put in each account is important to get this set up. I’ve got a free template you can grab to help you put your numbers together.

3. It Feels Like Another Thing to Fail At (or fail again at)

The challenge:
If you’ve set budgets before and gave up on them faster than you created them, it’s easy to feel like budgeting isn’t something you can be successful with. ADHDers can be especially hard on themselves about missed goals, so you may start thinking, Why bother trying again?

Flip the script:
Budgets aren’t about perfection (and in case you need a reminder, which I often do, neither is life)—they’re about awareness and working at your own speed toward making changes. Give yourself permission to adjust as life happens. Did you overspend one month? Think of it as data, not failure. Use it to tweak your plan going forward. This is going to happen, especially in the first 2-3 months, because you will miss things in your plan. Progress, not perfection, is the goal here.

4. Shame Around Money Makes It Hard to Start

The challenge:
If you’ve struggled with debt, overspending, or inconsistent income, shame can rear its ugly head and make you avoid looking at your finances altogether. When budgeting feels like confronting every past mistake, it’s no wonder you’d rather not touch it.

Flip the script:
I know it’s easier said than done, but try to remember that your past money choices don’t define you. A budget is a tool to move forward, not a punishment for your past money choices. And your direction is more important than your speed. Start small—look at one part of your finances, like your subscriptions, instead of everything at once. Every step forward is a win, no matter how small.

5. Budgets Feel Time-Consuming

The challenge:
ADHDers often struggle with time blindness, so anything that feels like we can’t snap our fingers and have it done gets pushed to the back burner. If you think budgeting means hours of number crunching every week, it’s no surprise it’s been on your “meh, later” list.

Flip the script:
Budgeting doesn’t have to eat up your life. With the right systems and tools, you can automate most of it. Apps like YNAB or simplified spreadsheets can make tracking a breeze. Getting started will take a little more time, but once you get rolling, set aside 30 minutes a month to review your budget. That’s it—no marathon sessions required.

6. It’s Not Clear How Budgets Help

The challenge:
If you don’t see how budgeting improves your life, or worse yet, you see it as a hindrance, it’s easy to ignore it. For ADHDers who need motivation to stick with something, budgeting might feel like a chore with no payoff.

Flip the script:
Budgets aren’t about what you can’t do but what you can. They help you be free to do the things you love and want to do today AND save for future things that make you happy, like that dream vacation or a new laptop. Write down your financial goals and a few things you’d like to do more of in the short term and think of your budget as the roadmap to get you there. It's easier to stick with it when you connect it to something exciting today and in the future!

7. The ADHD Brain Rebels Against Rules

The challenge:
Our ADHD brains are wired to resist rigid structures. A budget can feel like one giant no, and that can trigger a full-on rebellion—Oh, I can’t spend money here? Watch me!

Flip the script:
Instead of thinking of your budget as one big-ass set of rules, treat it like a set of choices. You’re the one deciding where your money goes, and you can adjust it whenever you need. Build in some “fun money” so your brain doesn’t feel deprived—this can make all the difference. This could even be its own separate account that is just for fun money or impulse spending.

8. Variable Income Makes It Tricky

The challenge:
Budgeting can feel impossible for entrepreneurs or people with inconsistent paychecks. When your income isn’t the same every month, how do you plan when you don’t know what’s coming in?

Flip the script:
If your income varies a little bit, base your budget on your lowest expected income. You can allocate the extra to savings or a splurge when you earn more. If you are self-employed or your income varies significantly from month to month or seasonally, create a buffer account and fund it when you have higher-income months. It can be tempting in those higher-income months to put a whack down on your debt or splurge, but stashing some into a buffer account helps to smooth out the income peaks and valleys. For my fellow self-employed folks, I’ve got some helpful resources to help you set this up.

9. It’s Hard to Stay Focused

The challenge:
Let’s face it: numbers on a page can be boring. If your budget doesn’t excite you or give you something to look forward to, abandoning it after a month or two is easy.

Flip the script:
Make budgeting more interactive and create small challenges. Use visuals, like colourful charts or a savings tracker you can fill in. Turn it into a game by setting small goals and rewarding yourself for meeting them. The more fun it feels, the more likely you’ll stick with it.

10. There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Plan

The challenge:
Most budgeting advice is generic and created for neurotypicals. But ADHD brains don’t work like everyone else’s. If a cookie-cutter system hasn’t worked, you might think budgeting isn’t for you and give up!

Flip the script:
There’s no “right” way to budget—it’s all about finding what works for you. Need flexibility? Try a weekly budget instead of a monthly one. Hate tracking every penny? Focus on big-picture categories. Experiment until you find a system that clicks with your brain.

Ready to Build a Budget That Works for You?

Budgeting doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. When you approach it with ADHD-friendly strategies, your budget and money management systems become tools for freedom and flexibility. If you’re ready to take control of your finances but aren’t sure where to start, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Working with a financial coach like me is about taking a shorter path to finding a system that fits you. Working with me is always no judgment, shame-free zone.

Curious about what that might look like? Let’s chat! Book a free consultation, and we can explore if we are a good fit to work together and how we can make budgeting a game-changer for your ADHD brain. Click here to schedule a time that works for you.

Budgeting doesn’t have to suck, I promise. It’s all about flipping the narrative and finding an approach that matches your unique brain and lifestyle. If you’ve been struggling, know that you’re not alone—and there’s a way to make this work for you.