Managing finances can be challenging for anyone, but when you’re autistic, ADHD, or both, it often feels like a mountain to climb. For me, being late-diagnosed with autism and ADHD was an eye-opener. It explained so many struggles I had always blamed on being “bad with money.”
From executive function challenges to sensory overload and even the emotional weight of opening envelopes, managing finances and paying bills is a complex task for neurodivergent individuals. But understanding why it’s hard is the first step toward creating systems that work.
If you’re navigating the intersection of autism, ADHD, and finances, here are insights, strategies, and practical tips that can help.
Why Bill Paying When You’re Autistic and ADHD Is Challenging
Executive Function Challenges
Executive dysfunction plays a massive role in why paying bills can be so overwhelming. Executive functions are the brain’s management system, responsible for planning, organizing, and executing tasks. For those of us with autism and ADHD, these processes often don’t come naturally. Here’s how it shows up for me:
- Forgetting due dates or deadlines.
- Avoiding opening bills because they feel overwhelming.
- Losing track of what’s been paid.
- Hyper-focusing on other tasks while completely neglecting finances.
Studies confirm that executive function deficits are a hallmark of both autism and ADHD, making tasks like managing money disproportionately challenging. For more insights on executive functioning, check out this post on understanding executive function challenges.
Strategies for Bill Paying as a Neurodivergent Adult
Strategies for Managing Bills When You’re Autistic and ADHD
Mark it as paid.
Breaking the process into bite-sized steps makes it more manageable.
Automate Payments
Automation is my go-to strategy. Setting up automatic payments for recurring bills, like utilities and subscriptions, removes the guesswork and reduces cognitive overload. I only have to focus on irregular payments, such as medical bills or unexpected expenses.
Why it works: Automating reduces the number of decisions you need to make and keeps you on track, even if you forget.
Create a Bill-Paying Routine
Routine is a lifesaver for neurodivergent individuals. I’ve dedicated Sunday afternoons as my “bill day.” While folding laundry, I review my finances, update my visual calendar, and make payments.
Pro Tip: Pair your bill-paying routine with an existing habit or chore, like laundry or meal prep, to make it feel less daunting.
Use Visual and Digital Tools
Visual aids: A color-coded wall calendar helps me track due dates at a glance. For example:
Green: Paid.
Yellow: Due soon.
Red: Overdue.
Digital tools: Apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget) send reminders and help track payments. Phone notifications alert me a few days before each bill is due.
Why it works: Visual cues and digital reminders bridge the gap between forgetfulness and action.
Break It Down Into Steps
Paying bills isn’t just one task. It’s a series of smaller steps. For example:
Open the bill or email.
Log the due date on your calendar.
Decide whether to pay immediately or schedule the payment.
Practical Tips for Staying on Track
Use Verbal Reminders
Voice notes have become a game-changer for me. When I receive a bill, I immediately create a reminder like, “Pay the water bill by Thursday,” and set a phone alarm.
Start Small
Overhauling your entire bill-paying system can feel overwhelming. Instead, start with one step, such as automating just one recurring bill. As it becomes routine, you can add more steps.
Reward Yourself
I’ve found that rewards work wonders. After my weekly bill review, I treat myself to a small reward like a favorite snack or 10 guilt-free minutes of scrolling Instagram.
Why it works: Associating bill-paying with something positive helps reframe it as a manageable task rather than a chore.
Tying It All Together
Reflecting on finances has been a journey of self-awareness and growth for me as someone navigating life with autism and ADHD. Challenges to bill paying when you are Autistic and ADHD are real, but so are the solutions. By understanding how our neurodivergent brains work, we can build systems that make tasks like paying bills more manageable and even empowering.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Whether you automate payments, rely on visual tools, or create a bill-paying ritual, every small step adds up to progress. And progress, not perfection, is the goal.
