Managing ADHD can be tricky, but did you know some ADHD Hacks for Adults can also save you money and improve your financial health?
By using these ADHD life hacks, you can not only manage ADHD more effectively but also see positive changes in your wallet. Let’s dive into these money-saving strategies!
1. Get a Library Card
How It Saves You Money:
For those with ADHD, hyperfocus can lead to sudden interests in new topics, which might cause you to spend money on books, courses, or online subscriptions. Instead of buying every new resource that catches your attention, get a library card.
With a library card, you have free access to a vast range of books, audiobooks, magazines, and even online courses! You can explore all your interests without spending a penny. Many libraries also offer e-books and audiobooks that you can borrow online, so you don’t even have to leave your home.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Satisfies impulsive curiosity: Libraries let you dive into new topics without overspending, which is perfect for those ADHD-fueled bursts of interest.
- Encourages focus: Going to the library or borrowing a book can help you set clear learning goals, keeping your mind engaged in a productive, cost-free way.
Extra Tip: Many libraries also offer free access to databases and learning tools like language programs, career resources, and research archives. This is one of the most valuable ADHD Hacks for Adults, as it can help you save even more money on courses and paid learning tools. Give your local library a visit or explore their online offerings to see how it can benefit both your brain and your budget!
2. Turn Your Rules into Taglines
How It Saves You Money:
Turning your personal rules into catchy taglines is a simple way to stay on track and avoid impulsive spending. When you have easy-to-remember phrases guiding your actions, it helps you make smarter decisions—both for your life and your wallet.
For example, “When in doubt, sweat it out” can motivate you to exercise when you’re stressed, instead of spending money on quick-fix solutions like shopping or eating out. Taglines keep you focused on what really matters, helping you avoid unnecessary purchases.
How It Works:
- Make them memorable: Create short, catchy phrases that align with your goals. Some examples are “Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life” or “A job worth doing is worth doing well.”
- Use them daily: Repeating these phrases to yourself when making decisions helps reinforce positive habits, preventing costly mistakes or impulse buys.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Keeps you focused: ADHD brains can be easily distracted, but having clear, simple phrases to guide you helps you stay on track.
- Reduces impulsive spending: Instead of making quick, emotional purchases, your taglines remind you to stop and think before spending.
By keeping your taglines front and center, you can train yourself to stick to good habits and avoid financial pitfalls. It’s a free, simple hack that saves both time and money!
3. Use AI for Admin Emails
How It Saves You Money:
AI tools like ChatGPT can save you time and money by taking care of everyday administrative tasks. If you usually procrastinate on things like canceling subscriptions, requesting refunds, or disputing charges, AI can handle it for you. This way, you won’t miss out on money-saving opportunities or end up paying for things you don’t use.
How It Works:
- Automate simple tasks: Use AI to write emails for things like canceling memberships, asking for refunds, or resolving billing issues.
- Stay organized: AI tools can also help you keep track of subscriptions and payments, so you don’t waste money on things you’ve forgotten about.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Reduces stress: Administrative tasks can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve put them off for too long. AI makes it quick and easy to get them done.
- Helps you stay on top of finances: With AI handling tedious tasks, you’ll be less likely to lose money on subscriptions or miss out on refunds.
Let AI take the stress out of admin work, and save both time and money while staying on top of your financial tasks!
4. Don’t Wear Bedrock Clothes
How It Saves You Money:
Dressing up a bit—even if you’re working from home—can boost your productivity, which can lead to saving (or even making) money. When you feel more put-together, you’re less likely to get distracted, and you’ll get more done.
Increased productivity means more work completed in less time, especially for those who work from home or freelance, and this can translate into higher earnings.
How It Works:
- Dress for success: Wearing comfortable but presentable clothes signals to your brain that it’s time to work, not relax. This simple change keeps you focused and ready to tackle tasks.
- Avoid distractions: Feeling too relaxed in your “bedrock clothes” might cause you to waste time scrolling on your phone or watching TV, leading to wasted hours.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Improves focus: ADHD brains can easily slip into distraction, but dressing up a bit sets a productive tone for the day.
- Boosts earnings: By staying on task and avoiding distractions, you can maximize your work time and potentially increase your income.
Swapping out bedrock clothes for something a little more professional can keep you on track, save time, and help you earn more! Give it a try and see the difference it makes in your workday.
5. Use a Minimalist Phone Homescreen
How It Saves You Money:
Phones are built to grab your attention, and often, that leads to impulsive spending. By switching to a minimalist phone homescreen, you can cut out distractions and reduce the temptation to click on apps that encourage you to spend.
With fewer app icons and notifications popping up, you’re less likely to browse shopping sites, play costly mobile games, or make impulse buys from apps. This simple switch can keep you focused on what really matters and help you avoid unnecessary spending.
How It Works:
- Declutter your homescreen: Remove all unnecessary apps and icons from your main screen. Keep only essential tools like your calendar or notes.
- Turn off notifications: Silencing non-essential alerts keeps your focus on tasks rather than tempting you to click and spend.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Reduces distractions: ADHD brains are easily distracted, and having a cluttered phone screen only makes it worse. A minimalist screen helps you stay focused.
- Prevents impulse buys: By limiting the apps and notifications that trigger spending, you’ll save money by avoiding those spur-of-the-moment purchases.
A minimalist phone setup can be a simple but powerful way to improve focus and save money at the same time! Give it a try and see how much more in control you feel over your spending.
6. Try the Day One Journal App
How It Saves You Money:
Using a journal app like Day One is not only a great way to stay organized but also helps you manage your finances. By tracking your goals and reflecting on your spending habits, you’ll become more mindful of where your money is going, making it easier to stick to a budget and avoid impulsive purchases.
How It Works:
- Track spending and goals: Write down your financial goals and monitor your spending in the app. This makes it easier to see how much you’re spending and where you can cut back.
- Plan ahead: Use the app to plan out future expenses and make sure you’re saving for important purchases rather than buying on impulse.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Improves focus: ADHD can make it hard to stay on top of things, but regularly using a journal app helps you stay organized and prioritize your financial goals.
- Reduces impulsive spending: By reflecting on your spending and tracking your progress, you’ll be less likely to make impulsive buys.
Journaling with the Day One app helps you take control of your finances while staying organized and focused. It’s a simple way to stay on track with both your goals and your money!
7. Get Your Bloodwork Done
How It Saves You Money:
Sometimes ADHD-like symptoms, such as trouble focusing or fatigue, can actually be caused by underlying health issues like vitamin deficiencies. That’s why, personally, I think one of the best ADHD Hacks for Adults is getting your bloodwork done. It can reveal simple fixes, like needing an iron supplement, that may improve your energy levels and concentration.
By addressing these health problems, you can boost your focus and productivity, leading to fewer missed workdays and better job performance. Over time, improved health can help you earn more and avoid costly medical problems down the road.
How It Works:
- Get a simple blood test: A visit to your doctor for routine bloodwork can check for things like vitamin deficiencies or other health issues that may be affecting your focus.
- Take action on results: If the test shows something like low iron or vitamin D, a simple supplement could make a big difference in how you feel and function.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Improves focus and energy: When your body is healthier, your brain works better, which helps reduce ADHD-like symptoms and boosts productivity.
- Prevents long-term costs: Identifying and treating health issues early can prevent bigger, more expensive health problems in the future.
By getting your bloodwork done, you’re investing in your long-term health and financial stability. A healthier body means better focus and more income potential!
8. Question How School Made You Feel About Learning
How It Saves You Money:
If traditional schooling made you feel like learning wasn’t your thing, you might be wasting money on courses or books that don’t suit your learning style. Instead, by questioning how school made you feel about learning, you can find more affordable ways to gain knowledge that actually work for you.
How It Works:
- Reevaluate your learning style: If sitting through lectures or reading textbooks never worked for you, explore alternatives like audiobooks, podcasts, or hands-on learning.
- Use free resources: Many great learning tools are available for free, such as YouTube tutorials, public library resources, or open online courses.
Why It Works for ADHD:
- Matches your learning style: People with ADHD often learn better through interactive or audio-visual methods, making it easier to absorb information without spending money on things that don’t help.
- Saves on unnecessary purchases: By finding what works best for you, you avoid wasting money on courses, books, or tools that aren’t effective.
By exploring different ways to learn that align with your brain, you can save money and get more out of your educational experiences!
9. The “Two-Minute Rule”
If you’re looking for a simple ADHD hack that saves time and money, try the Two-Minute Rule. This quick, no-cost trick helps you stay on top of small tasks without needing fancy tools or apps.
How It Works:
- Do small tasks right away: If something will take less than two minutes, like putting away laundry, replying to an email, or cleaning up a spill, do it immediately. Tackling these tasks right away keeps them from building up and becoming overwhelming.
Why It Saves You Money:
- Prevents bigger messes: By taking care of small issues, like wiping up a spill, you avoid larger, more expensive problems that may require professional help later.
- Reduces waste: When you put away groceries or food items right away, you prevent food from spoiling, saving you money on replacements.
The Two-Minute Rule is a simple and effective ADHD hack to keep your brain from feeling overloaded while also saving you time and money. It’s one of the best ADHD Hacks for Adults because it helps you stay productive by addressing small tasks immediately, preventing them from piling up into bigger chores. Plus, this quick action can save you from costly issues, like preventing messes from becoming more expensive problems or keeping food from spoiling.
Give the Two-Minute Rule a try today, and see how this practical hack can make your day more productive and stress-free!
By applying these ADHD Hacks for Adults, not only will you make managing ADHD easier, but you’ll also see improvements in your finances. Whether it’s reducing impulsive spending, increasing productivity, or staying organized, these strategies will help you save money and reach your financial goals!
