#130 ADHD & Money - Why We Struggle

Navigating Adult ADHD

If you’ve ever felt guilty, ashamed, or overwhelmed about money - you are not alone, my friend. In fact, you’re in very good company.

Research shows that adults with ADHD are far more likely to struggle with finances: we impulse buy, overspend, miss bills, carry debt, and feel constant money-related anxiety. But here’s the thing - none of this is about laziness or being “bad with money.”

In this episode, I’m sharing openly about my own messy history with money - the guilt, the debt, the fear of looking at my bank account - alongside the very real ADHD traits that make managing money harder, like impulsivity, time blindness, forgetfulness, and dopamine chasing. I call this “money blindness,” and trust me, it’s real.

We’ll explore:

• Why ADHD brains are wired to overspend & struggle with planning.
• How time blindness, forgetfulness, and “ADHD tax” show up in your finances.
• The shame, guilt, and judgment that keep so many of us stuck.
• Why your past money mistakes don’t define your future.

So if money has ever felt overwhelming, shame-filled, or like something you just can’t get “right” - take a deep breath and join me. You are not broken. You’re not behind. You’re learning to work with your ADHD brain, and that’s progress.

Don’t forget to grab the free episode cheat sheet here: navigatingadultadhd.com/cheatsheet

And stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into practical, ADHD-friendly tools to help you feel more confident and less shame around money.