The ADHD tax: How disorganisation could cost you money

Living with ADHD – or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – is more than just being prone to distraction; it can impact your finances too. From impulsive purchases to lost items, the extra cost of managing day-to-day life is referred to by those of us with this condition as the "ADHD Tax". Here we offer some tips on curbing unnecessary expenses and deciding when spending could be worth it.

Picture this: You’re on your way out the door doing your regular pat-down check. You’ve got your phone, your keys are in your pocket and your wallet is safely stowed away, but something is missing. Where are your headphones? If you’re anything like me, this is the fourth pair of wireless headphones you’ve lost in the last year. So you sigh and fork out an unplanned sum of money on yet another pair.

The ADHD Tax

When you have ADHD, you might struggle with poor executive function; this means you’re more prone to disorganisation, lateness and misplacing items. Executive dysfunction is frustrating, speaking personally, because you just want to get through the day. But it can also hinder your finances – from forgetting to cancel old subscriptions to buying multiples of the same item because you forgot you already had it at home. When left unchecked, the ADHD tax can make it challenging to stick to a budget or to save.

Not all ADHD Taxes are created equal; sometimes, you might need to spend money to save money. If you know that you often lose things, you may need to invest in trackers for your items. If you do a regular grocery shop but let food go bad because you’ve no time or energy to cook, perhaps you need to order a takeout. When managing your executive function, what is seen as an “unnecessary” expense to some people could be essential for you to stay on track.

Let's look at finding ways to curb the ADHD tax and decide if something might be worth the cost in the grand scheme of things.

Avoiding the ADHD Tax

Budgeting aids

If you struggle with impulsive spending, going over budget and not being attentive to your finances, then perhaps you need to view them differently. There are many budgeting tools and apps to help you track and manage your expenses; often, you just need to look at your money in a novel way to feel inspired to get back on track with budgeting.

Reminders reminders reminders

You don’t need any fancy apps or new devices for this, just a calendar and a phone with reminders. Make sure you note when every bill is due and when every free trial runs out. You don’t want to get caught in your overdraft or spend money on a service that you’ll never use again.

Organising your physical space

To avoid duplicate buys when you think you’ve run out of something, make sure you have items where you can see them. This might mean organising your fridge for your needs, e.g., condiments in drawers and everything else in different compartments. People with ADHD tend to suffer from object permanence and can forget about items if they aren’t visible.

Giving yourself grace

You are not a robot, you’re human. You'll make mistakes and may find it hard to adjust to new routines and life changes, so try to be kinder to yourself. Trying to implement better habits and practices will have its ups and downs.

How to be ADHD Tax efficient

As mentioned, not all ADHD Taxes are the same; some things are costly but can lead to better habits. Think about making ADHD-friendly spending choices as outlined below.

Outsource or DIY

Investments aren’t always about financial returns; sometimes, they're about making your life easier. High-energy tasks such as cleaning and dog walking, and time-consuming chores such as life admin and wardrobe organising, can be outsourced to free you up to take on high-impact tasks or even invest a bit of time in self-care.

Outsourcing can involve meal prep and laundry services but also include investing in organisational tools, good journals and digital to-do lists.

Having ADHD doesn’t have to be a lifelong expense; with the right choices and habits, you might be able to get on top of your finances.

To support customers with actioning their budgets, Chase lets you set up multiple current accounts, up to 20 in total. Since you can spend from these directly, they might help you track your spending throughout the month.

18+, UK residents.

Recommended reading

• How to practise mindful spending
• How budgeting can help you stay on track
• How neurodiverse conditions may affect your pocket

Disclaimer: The Hub is intended as a knowledge portal to provide information on a range of topics, including financial products. Articles may reference products and services that Chase UK does not currently offer. This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice.