Do Any of These Struggles Sound Familiar?

Money management is tricky for anyone, but if you’re single and living with ADHD, your finances can feel like a Jenga tower built by caffeinated squirrels. Between impulse spending, forgotten bills, and that sneaky solo tax (paying for everything yourself), it’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed.

In this episode of A Solo Person’s Guide to ADHD, I dig into ADHD money struggles for singles—and what you can do to build financial stability without boring yourself into a coma.

Real ADHD Money Struggles (Raise Your Hand If…)

• You forgot your car insurance auto-deducts every six months… and now you don’t have gas money.

• You signed up for a free trial that’s still charging you eight months later.

• You borrowed car money from Grandma for “other things” and… oops.

Sound familiar? These are classic ADHD financial mistakes. And here’s the kicker: this isn’t just an ADHD issue, or a solo issue. Nearly 50% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and fewer than 1 in 4 have $1,000 saved for emergencies.

But if you’re single with ADHD, you face extra challenges—no second income, no built-in accountability partner, and double the executive function hurdles.

Why ADHD and Money Don’t Mix (Without a Plan)

Here are some ADHD-specific pitfalls:

• Impulse spending: Dopamine says “yes,” your bank account says “why??”

• Hyperfocus shopping: New hobby → buy everything → forget about it in three weeks.

• Executive dysfunction: Just finding the bill to pay it can feel like an archaeological dig.

• Out of sight, out of mind: Duplicate purchases, forgotten subscriptions, and yes—three microphones for one podcast.

These are the reasons why budgeting for ADHD adults has to look different.

My ADHD Money Story

I grew up a creative kid with undiagnosed inattentive ADHD and parents who couldn’t have been more different financially. My Depression-era mom was a meticulous bookkeeper who once spent years chasing down a missing dime in her ledger. My dad ran a small-town business. And me? I took “starving artist” way too seriously.

But here’s the progress part: I’ve found ADHD-friendly budgeting strategies that help me stay afloat. I now own a home (well, the part the bank doesn’t), a car (completely paid off), and I’ve created systems to make sure my bills actually get paid.

The Hard Truth About ADHD and Money

Research shows that adults with ADHD tend to:

• Earn about 17% less than neurotypical peers

• Rack up more late fees and higher credit card debt

• Struggle to build emergency savings

That’s not great news. But here’s the flip side…

The Good News for Singles with ADHD

Being single means you have full control of your financial decisions. You don’t need anyone’s permission to:

• Cancel a subscription

• Rework your budget

• Try a new ADHD money management tool

And you don’t need a partner to hold you accountable—you can build that support through friends, ADHD coaches, or online communities.

What’s Next in the ADHD + Money Series

This is just the start of my September focus on ADHD and personal finance. Coming soon:

• ADHD-friendly budgeting tips that actually stick

• Debt and credit strategies without overwhelm

• Solo-friendly side hustles for ADHD adults

• Frugal hacks that save money without feeling restrictive

👉 Listen to Episode 5 of A Solo Person's Guide to ADHD on your favorite podcast  platform

👉 Watch the video version on YouTube here

👉 Join me live on YouTube, September 9th at 8 PM ET for an ADHD + Money Q&A

Your Easy Homework

For the next few days, just observe your habits. Ask:

• Where does my money come from?

• Where does it go?

• What triggers my spending?

No judgment—just curiosity.

Final Thoughts

If you’re single, ADHD, and struggling with money management, you’re not broken—you just need systems that work with your brain. I promise, you’re not as alone as you think, and yes—you really can take control of your finances.

💻 Want help? Book a free 30-minute coaching session at TwoCatsCoaching.com.
🎙️ Subscribe to A Solo Person’s Guide to ADHD on your favorite podcast platform.

🐾 Two Cats Coaching | Helping single adults with ADHD manage money, routines, and life one doable step at a time.