Many traditional budgeting systems rely on planning, maths skills, remembering details, and checking your spending across multiple accounts. For some people this can be difficult because of executive function challenges.

 If you’re neurodivergent, you might experience things such as:

• time blindness - bills and deadlines can appear suddenly because it is hard to keep track of when things are due
• decision fatigue - if your budget requires making a lot of choices every day, you might get tired of it quickly
• working memory - it can be hard to keep track of how much you have in different accounts, as well as monitoring bills, renewal dates and spending limits at the same time
• sensory load - complicated spreadsheets, long lists of transactions, or lots of different account with different apps can feel overwhelming.

You do not need to try everything at once. Pick one idea that feels manageable and start there. Once that becomes part of your routine, you can add something else.

A budgeting system is easier to stick with if it is:

• visual – seeing your money clearly can help you understand what is available to spend
• automated – paying your bills and adding to savings happens automatically so you do not have to remember
• bite sized – short and simple check ins are easier than long budgeting sessions
• reward based – seeing savings grow or reaching small goals can help keep you motivated.

Simplifying your accounts can make your finances easier to manage. It might be a good idea to get some support from family or friends or go into a bank branch to make sure you have the best set up for your needs.

Many people find it helpful to separate their money into different spaces.

For example:

• bills account
• spending account
• savings account.

Some banking apps allow you to create savings pots or spaces inside your account. You’re often able to re-name them and add relevant images. This is similar to the jam jar approach, where money is divided into different pots for different expenses.

When bills are kept separate from spending money, it is easier to see what you can afford.

Setting up Direct Debits and standing orders to leave your account automatically can reduce the number of decisions you need to make.

You could:

• set up Direct Debits for regular bills – contact your provider for instructions on how to do this
• use a standing order to move money into savings just after payday
• send a weekly or monthly amount to your spending account
• set up a regular transfer into savings after you are paid so you can save without having to remember each month.

Read more about Direct Debits and standing orders in our guide.

Visual tools can make your money easier to understand. Software with colourful charts, graphs with spending breakdowns and symbols to represent different types of spending can all reduce cognitive load.

Some banking apps allow you to open lots of accounts or digital pots, where you create spaces for things like food, travel or fun money.

This works well because you can see how much money is left in each category.

If you have something big to save up for you could set up a sinking fund to help spread the cost.

Another option is using either a physical or digital calendar to track your money.

Mark your calendar with the following dates:

• your payday
• when benefits get paid
• when bills are due
• when fixed bills renew like broadband or your phone contract, you could also add a reminder a month before they end so you can find a new deal
• when you need to pay for any large upcoming expenses.

This makes it easier to see what your month looks like financially.

There are a lot of budgeting apps out there that use open banking to allow you to see all your accounts and transactions in one place. This is helpful if you use more than one bank or have credit cards.

SnoopOpens in a new window, EmmaOpens in a new window and PlumOpens in a new window are all UK budgeting apps with this feature that have free versions.

Finding a money routine that works for you can help reduce the stress you feel about your finances.

Once a week, take a quick look at your accounts and check:

• current balances
• bills coming up
• if you need to move money around to cover your expenses.

Short check ins are often easier to keep up with than long budgeting sessions.

Link your money check to something you already do each week.

For example, you could always look at your banking apps:

• while having Sunday morning coffee
• after doing your weekly food shop
• after you put the bins out.

This helps the habit become part of your normal routine.

Some people find it easier to complete tasks when someone else is doing them with you.

You could:

• check your finances while on a call with a friend
• work alongside someone doing their own admin
• share your money goals with an accountability partner.

Read our blog about loud budgeting for more tips.

Many neurodiverse people struggle with impulse purchases and getting a dopamine hit from shopping or gambling.

Banks have special departments and policies that are there to protect their neurodiverse customers, so don’t be afraid to ask for extra help if this is a problem.

Ask if you can:

• set spending limits
• block certain types of payments
• freeze your card temporarily.

These controls add an extra pause before you spend money.

If you want to be prevented from gambling, you can ask gambling sites to stop you from using them, including ones you haven’t used before.  

Read more about self-exclusionOpens in a new window at GamCare.

If you often make impulse purchases, try adding items to a wishlist instead of buying them straight away. Then, wait 24 or 48 hours before deciding if you still want the item.

Find more tips about impulse shopping in our blog The psychology of spending.

It can be a good idea to make spending money a little bit inconvenient – which might give you a minute to cool down and think if you really want to be spending your money while you’re on a dopamine high.

To do this, you could consider:

• removing saved cards from online shops
• deleting shopping apps
• leaving your credit card at home when you go out.

It can also help to keep a small amount of money just for treats or fun spending.

Your savings can stay in a separate space, bank account or pot, so they’re harder to dip into.

Saving can feel easier if you celebrate the progress you make.

You might reward yourself with something from your wishlist, a takeaway or day out when you:

• reach a big savings milestone
• clear a debt you’ve had for a while
• stick to your budget for a set amount of time.

Here are some small changes can make money tasks feel easier for neurodivergent people:

• reduce paper clutter by switching to paperless bills or statements
• keep the time you spend on your money short by working in sessions of 10 to 15 minutes
• use a timer and take breaks to help you stay focussed
• keep your money apps in the same folder on your phone
• turn off unnecessary notifications if they feel distracting.

Sometimes money problems can feel overwhelming. Help is available, you’re not alone.

If you’re struggling to pay everything, start with priority bills like your mortgage or rent, energy bills and Council Tax.

Use our Bill prioritiser to work out what needs paying first and find out what help you can access.