Money management

[michael682]

Hey guys! It’s been a while since I’ve been on here. Work is still crazy even with the whole virus thing. (I work at FedEx office) I recently got Engaged and am moving in with my now Fiancée! I’m super excited and she is so supportive and loving even when I let my ADHD get the best of me. But recently this has been an eye opener to how bad I am at developing and sticking to a budget. What’s even more difficult is doing it with another person and knowing that when I mess up and have a learning moment.... it will burden not just me but them too! So on to the question!

What tools “books, apps, websites, etc” do you guys use to manage your budget and where can I actually find information that is understandable? The most difficult part of all this for me is actually comprehending the information in a way that allows me to apply it. Not sure if that makes sense or not.

Anyway! Hope everyone is safe and healthy!

[Lovinit]

It has been a dream for me to know how to budget. I’ve tried so much in the past and I’m sure I’ll try again. I haven’t gotten it figured out. I guess for me logging my monthly bills done is a start then I can at least see how much about I need every month to cover those expenses. Everything else I have no idea what I spend. I think next what I may try is logging my gas and groceries down

[Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

I too am the worst when it comes to finances and I find a lot of App's (ADHD specific or recommended for ADHD - not necessarily finance app's) still need me to be 'organised'. But I have found that Money Dashboard does at least encourage me to look at my finances. It pulls your various accounts together, looks at where you spend your money and then categorises whether it's Food/Travel/Mortgage etc and you can also add categories. Eventually you will get weekly email and it will simply show you for example how much money you earn and how much you spent, and this is the 'hook', as it appears in my inbox I do at least glance at it and then it reminds me that I need to be aware of this sort of stuff. It also has budget features, it has good graphics to display the breakdown of your spending and is fairly intuitive. moneydashboard.com/features

[michael682 in reply to Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

That sounds interesting! Google calendar sends me an email with all my events and stuff the morning before so I can remember to prepare or make alarms before it’s too late. I think the thing you’re talking about will help me stay accountable and on top of my finances for the most part. Just gotta learn more about actually managing and making good decisions.

[GatsbyCat in reply to michael682]

Hi, Michael682~

I'm fortunate to also have a super supportive non ADHD fiance.. He manages our money, but has also helped me learn more about finances.

A few simple rules;

1. Pay all bills first- online if possible.

2. Give yourself a weekly allowance (if you can afford it)

3. Put aside savings into a 401k account (if your employer contributes even better. Max this out every year if you can afford to do so)

or a Roth IRA- do both to the maximum if you can afford to do so.

We've used Mint and it's a good tool. It tracks all of your expenses and shows you where the money is going. You can also transfer money to your Roth IRA or a 501K.

ADDitude Magazine has a good article on this very subject.

additudemag.com/how-to-budg...

We all need to do better with our finances. Here's a good book as well: Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Fully Revised and Updated for 2018

Hope that these ideas help you out.

[Hidden]

youneedabudget.com

I have not tried this yet. But I recently heard a podcast for suggesting this budget site to people with ADHD. It is supposed to help single people with ADHD manage their money.

Also, couples keep on the same page with their money and help you see where your money is going and so on.

Found the podcast and info @ takecontroladhd.com

[smittyjms2222]

This is awesome info. Keep the ideas coming as suggestions are helpful