Expense Tracking Made Easy (Okay, Bearable)

ADHD & Money Management: Expense Tracking Made Easy Bearable

If your bank account is a mystery until payday—or worse, after payday—you’re not alone.

I’m Christine Dunning, Master Certified Life Coach and host of A Solo Person’s Guide to ADHD. Today, we’re talking about one of the toughest—but most important—skills for single adults with ADHD: expense tracking.

Why Expense Tracking Matters

• Helps you see where your money is really going

• Lays the foundation for budgeting and financial goals

• Turns vague stress into actual data you can use

Why ADHD Brains Resist Expense Tracking

• Overwhelm: Too big, too boring.

• Time perception: “Later” = “never.”

• Emotions: Looking back at spending can trigger shame.

Think of it as financial archaeology—you’re digging up information, not guilt.

ADHD-Friendly Expense Tracking in 5 Steps

1. Gather Your Information

   • Bank and credit card statements

   • Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Apple/Google Pay

   • Receipts and Amazon orders

2. Categorize Your Spending (but not too many)

   • Fixed expenses: rent, utilities, insurance

   • Variable expenses: groceries, clothing, entertainment

   • Savings/retirement: deposits, 401(k), IRA

3. Make It Visual

   • Color coding, pie charts, stickers, or a simple app

4. Practice Gratitude

   • Recognize the good: trips, a working car, a safe home

5. Create an Action Plan

   • Choose one method (spreadsheet, app, notebook)

   • Track for one week

   • Save your notes and set a follow-up session

Free Resource

Download my ADHD Expense Tracking Worksheets at TwoCatsCoaching.com. They’re designed to keep this process simple, visual, and ADHD-friendly.

Final Word

You can’t change where your money went yesterday, but you can decide where it goes tomorrow. And yes, with the right tools (and maybe a few highlighters), you might even enjoy it.