A Stress-Free Approach to Saving Money with ADHD
Have you ever found yourself riding high on a wave of abundance, only to later be scraping by, counting every dollar? Been there, done that. From times of plenty to those pinch-tight periods, one invaluable lesson I’ve picked up is the art of setting money aside for a rainy day—or even a sunny one when spontaneity strikes.
For years, I wrestled with the notion that saving meant squirreling away big chunks of cash. But let’s be honest—life doesn’t always grant us the luxury of large savings. It was through navigating various projects that I stumbled upon a saving method that truly resonated with me: breaking it down into small, manageable chunks.
Instead of throwing my money into one big, intimidating pile and hoping for the best, I divided it into what I affectionately call “handbags.” (cause a girl can’t have enough handbags, right?) Now, these aren’t actual handbags, but accounts which provide much-needed structure and clarity in my financial life.
This handbag system has been a complete game-changer for my ADHD brain. It thrives on those small victories—those frequent pats on the back that reassure me I’m making progress. Each handbag is assigned a specific goal or project, whether it’s for travel, projects, or any other exciting plans on the horizon.
The Weekly Ritual:
Every week, I sit down and ensure each handbag receives its fair share—like feeding a slot machine. There’s a minimum amount I commit to each one, keeping everything chugging along smoothly. When I happen to earn a bit extra? It gets allocated among the handbags, enhancing that feel-good factor and turning each deposit into a satisfying mini victory.
One of my handbags is my travel fund. Travel is in my blood, and over the past few years, it’s been used for family trips back and forth to Tonga. Secretly, though, I’ve been saving for a solo adventure. It’s taken a whole year, but I’m about to embark on a trip to Sydney to see the musical Hamilton. Knowing that each small deposit contributed to this dream makes it all the more rewarding.
What truly seals the deal for me is my budget tracker, complete with a tick list—because who doesn’t love checking things off? Plus, there are graphs for us visual folks, offering a clear snapshot of progress at a glance.
Here’s another trick of the trade: I handle everything in small amounts. I don’t transfer all my money at once because my brain can’t handle the “famine” mode; instead, I move small amounts. If the next pay week arrives and money is left over, it’s distributed among each handbag. This has been a hard-learned strategy. As soon as my account empties, I become fixated on what I can’t buy, like a record I can’t switch off. But if there’s money in there, my brain doesn’t even notice.
It might sound a bit childish, but brains are quirky, tricky things, and knowing your triggers is vital. It’s a bit like being told not to eat something—suddenly, it’s all you can think about. So, understanding and working with your own mental quirks can pave the way for stress-free saving.
I invite you to try this handbag method. Reflect on what each of your “handbags” might hold and see where this journey takes you. Feel free to share your stories or thoughts; we’re all in this adventure together, learning how to make our dreams just a little bit closer.
Interested in getting my special designed budget tracker? Jump into my Social Media and send me a DM and ill send it to you for FREE. (Find me @stockhausens_)
