The ADHD Tax: Cutting Hidden Costs and Gaining Financial Control

In this episode of The Distracted Dollar, Vanessa, an ADHD money coach, explores the 'ADHD tax', a hidden financial drain linked to the executive functioning challenges that those with ADHD face. Vanessa breaks down the costs associated with forgotten subscriptions, spoiled groceries, late fees, and impulsive spending. She shares personal experiences and introduces a life-changing rule that helped her family save $400 a month by designating one specific day for non-essential spending. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with one’s brain to create systems that mitigate financial waste and foster intentional spending.

00:00 Introduction to the ADHD Tax

00:50 The Hidden Costs of ADHD

03:03 The Emotional and Financial Toll

06:50 Breaking the Cycle: One Simple Rule

08:41 Conclusion and Next Steps

Understanding and Tackling the ADHD Tax: From Chaos to Control

In this episode of the Distracted Dollar podcast, Vanessa, an ADHD money coach, explores the concept of the ADHD tax, highlighting the hidden financial costs of living with ADHD. She discusses the unavoidable expenses necessary for well-being, such as medications, therapy, and convenience tools, as well as avoidable costs like late fees, impulse buys, and subscription creep. Vanessa shares practical systems, like having one spending day a month and conducting monthly subscription audits, to help manage these costs and reduce financial stress. The episode aims to shift ADHD management from chaos to control by acknowledging real costs and implementing effective strategies.

00:00 Introduction to the ADHD Tax

01:19 Understanding the Invisible ADHD Tax

01:52 The Convenience Premium and Its Costs

02:53 The Systematic Issue of ADHD Costs

03:45 Managing Impulse Spending

04:49 Implementing Spending Systems

06:01 Tackling Subscription Creep

07:07 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the Distracted Dollar podcast, Vanessa, an ADHD money coach, explores the intersection of financial anxiety and ADHD behaviors, particularly the impulse to constantly check one's bank account. Vanessa outlines a three-step approach to breaking the anxiety-scroll cycle: recognizing physical triggers and implementing a 60-second pause, creating intentional friction by moving financial apps off your home screen and scheduling check-ins, and addressing the root of anxiety through a weekly financial snapshot and daily worry window. These strategies aim to shift from reactive habits to a more responsive, controlled relationship with finances.

00:00 Introduction to Financial Anxiety and ADHD

00:51 Understanding the Doom Scroll

01:15 Breaking the Cycle: Three Steps to Stop the Scroll

02:41 Recognizing and Managing Triggers

04:00 Building Guardrails for Autopilot Mode

05:17 Addressing the Root Cause: Moving from Avoidance to Acknowledgement

06:25 Conclusion: Taking Back Control