Episode description

ADHD makes managing money hard. It requires a lot of starts & stops, trials & failures, recovering, bouncing back, and resilience.

We may intellectually understand why managing your money is essential, but when it comes to implementing a plan, we hit a wall.

That was me too.

My Story: Digging Myself Into a Hole
My first job after college was as a mutual fund accounting analyst. I became hyper-fixated on becoming a wall street stock analyst.

I studied to get my chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification, and passed level one on my second try.

However, I couldn't quite finish the other two. I was burned out and no longer motivated.

A new hyper-fixation popped up in the comedown of passing the level one exam; I decided to buy a house.

One year into working as a financial advisor, I was focused exclusively on investing. I wasn't operating as the comprehensive planner I studied to be, and fully furnished my home all on credit.

...in one day.

“No interest for 24 months”. Who could resist?

Further big purchases included a golf simulator, gear, lessons, substantial grocery bills, subscriptions, and landscaping.  I was out of control.

Amid my spending frenzy, I told myself I would be making way more money, and everything would take care of itself. But it didn't. I depleted all of my savings and built up an enormous amount of debt.

To make things worse, I started dipping into my investments. It all backfired.

Digging Myself Out
So how did I get myself out of the mess? First, I read everything I could find about ADHD.

The new knowledge helped me acquire healing and self-acceptance, which allowed me to feel worthy of having a solid financial situation.

I pursued my CFP certification once again, tracked my spending, and sacrificed things to regain control.

To reduce my expenses $1,300 a month I sacrificed:

• $450: Country club membership
• $400: Meal kit deliveries
• $300: Shopping at different grocery stores
• $100: Subscriptions and lowered my cable package
• $60: Spa treatments

I also stopped buying golf equipment, accessories, and clothes. The feeling of control was more rewarding than having things.

Where I am Today
Through sacrificing and making adjustments to my life, I am now out of debt and have savings.

I also regularly contribute to my investments!

All the sacrifices helped me developed a "spending awareness muscle" to repel the urge to spend when I see it creeping in.

I hope my story helped you. ind a way that works to get fired up about having a budget. Visualize your dreams, and make them feel real in your ADHD brain.

Recommended reads:

• Delivered From Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder, by Dan Cashman
• ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood Through Adulthood, by Edward M. Hallowell
• Permission to Proceed, by David Giwerc
• Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Second Edition: Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships, by Russell A. Barkley PhD

Financial planning and coaching for adults with ADHD
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