ADHD Money Talk

We explore how childhood experiences shape our adult relationship with money, especially for those with ADHD who receive an estimated 20,000 more negative messages than praise by age 10.

• Children with ADHD often develop shame-based beliefs from chronic criticism
• These negative messages literally rewire the developing brain
• The prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making) is affected by both ADHD and chronic stress
• Financial struggles in adulthood often stem from childhood shame rather than just executive function
• Conventional financial advice fails because it doesn't address the underlying emotional wounds
• The pattern creates a feedback loop: shame triggers fear, which impairs executive function
• Healing begins by recognizing and addressing the emotional needs of your inner child
• Breaking the shame cycle allows financial management to improve naturally

What moment in this explanation resonated most with you? Let us know in the comments.

Know what you can really spend, in under 1 hour, no overwhelm. Grab free access here → https://unbudgetlite.shamelessmoney.com/

Check out ShamelessMoney.com to work with me directly!

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

Learn more about ADHD-friendly financial coaching
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Ever wondered why “pay in four” buttons feel irresistible? They’re designed to exploit ADHD brain wiring—leveraging executive function deficits, dopamine manipulation, working memory overload, and future blindness.

Services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm thrive on “phantom debt,” with the average person juggling 9+ payment plans and paying hefty merchant fees and penalties. Millennials and Gen Z—especially those with lower credit scores—are prime targets.

I share three harm-reduction strategies, including limiting yourself to 1–2 payment plans and finding non-spending dopamine boosts. That’s why I created the UnBudget—a free ADHD-friendly money system that works with your brain, not against it. Link in description.

Know what you can really spend, in under 1 hour, no overwhelm. Grab free access here → https://unbudgetlite.shamelessmoney.com/

Check out ShamelessMoney.com to work with me directly!

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

Learn more about ADHD-friendly financial coaching
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Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

Learn more about ADHD-friendly financial coaching
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David DeWitt shares his personal journey from financial disaster to freedom, revealing how understanding the connection between ADHD, shame, and money behaviors transformed his relationship with finances.

• Breaking free from the shame cycle that drives ADHD financial behaviors
• Understanding how self-beliefs sabotage financial progress despite good intentions
• Learning that willpower and discipline aren't effective solutions for ADHD money management
• Recognizing how 20,000 more negative experiences shape harmful core beliefs in people with ADHD
• Discovering how to befriend rather than battle financial demons
• Making sustainable progress by addressing emotional foundations first
• Finding freedom through self-acceptance rather than constant self-improvement

Join our Shameless Money community to decode your money story and build sustainable financial systems designed for the ADHD brain. Check out our Financial Transformation coaching package that includes a deep discovery call, personalized roadmap with your money story decoded, and implementation sessions to build systems that actually work for you.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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On this episode, I'm sharing a transformative system that has eliminated my impulse spending by using something called a "token economy" with gold stars that can be redeemed for desired purchases. 

This approach bridges the dopamine gap for ADHDers like you and me by providing immediate, tangible rewards for positive financial behaviors.

• Token economies provide external rewards that help ADHD brains connect daily actions to long-term outcomes
• The system creates your own "currency" earned through completing chores, habits, and financial behaviors
• The system teaches your brain to weigh desire against effort, creating a natural spending pause
• Over time, this approach reduces overall desire for impulse purchases

Visit ADHDMoneyTalk.com to share your experience if you try this system or to ask questions for the show.

Interested in working with me 1:1? Check out my brand new ADHD Financial Kickstarter service: a 90-minute call with me where we dive deep on your money beliefs and financial picture. Within 7 days, you'll get a personalized roadmap designed to help you transform your relationship with money for good.

Head to shamelessmoney.com/adhd-financial-kickstart to learn more.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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ADHD Money Talk is back! 

Dave is joined by a new (and possibly recurring?!) guest, Max Moclock.

Max graduated from Penn State with a degree in Finance. After 10 years in corporate America, Max started a career pivot to becoming a brand strategist. He received an ADHD diagnosis in 2012 and is passionate about creating space for others to feel confident and empowered, regardless of their diagnosis.

This episode introduces a new perspective on setting New Year’s resolutions through the concept of the **Winter Arc**, which emphasizes achievable goals, the power of visualization, and the importance of celebrating small wins while fostering self-forgiveness.

What's inside?
• Introduction of the Winter Arc as a manageable goal-setting approach
• Importance of focusing on small, consistent victories
• Visualization techniques for achieving goals
• Encouragement to practice self-forgiveness and grace
• Reflections on the distinct challenges faced by individuals with ADHD
• Call for listeners to rethink their approach to resolutions in 2025

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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Unlock the secrets to mastering your career and finances, especially if you have ADHD, with insights from our 35-year veteran ADHD career coach, Shell Mendelson. We kick off the episode with an exciting announcement of our new project aimed at helping ADHDers gain better control over their financial lives. Shell shares her invaluable wisdom, including her adapted version of the iconic "What Color Is Your Parachute?" framework, making it more visual and easier to grasp for ADHD minds. 

Ever felt like you're your own worst enemy when it comes to making positive choices? Discover the concept of the "safekeeping self" and learn how to break free from internal barriers that hold you back. Shell Mendelson and I have an engaging conversation about the pitfalls of impulsive decisions and the importance of financial planning. We discuss how acknowledging genuine personal interests can lead to long-term satisfaction, and why community support plays a crucial role in successful financial and career planning.

Navigating traditional work environments can be challenging for those with ADHD, but we’ve got you covered. We explore why self-accommodation plans are vital and how rigid corporate settings can stifle productivity. Highlighting real-life examples, we emphasize the importance of flexibility and understanding from employers. To cap it all off, we introduce Shell's book, "A Course for Adults and Teens: Unlock Your Career Path," as a must-have resource for gaining clarity and focus in your career journey. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration tailored for anyone struggling with career and financial challenges while living with ADHD.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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Discover the interplay between financial coaching and the unique challenges that come with ADHD as I bare all in a transparent reflection of ADHD Money Talk's journey. Step into the heart of my endeavors where I grapple with balancing the creation of engaging content and the depth of client work, all while evolving my business to meet the diverse financial needs of those with ADHD. As we navigate through the lessons gleaned from two years of coaching, I'll share with you the psychological insights that play a crucial role in managing money and how personalized financial advice varies among clients with different incomes and organizational abilities.

Join us as we revisit the tools that have shaped budgeting advice for those with ADHD, from the early days of the Honeydew app to my current favorites like Monarch and Tiller Money. But it's not all about the tools; it's also about fostering a thriving money mindset. Hear recommendations for resources that can deepen your understanding of the psychology behind money and why it's vital to engage with your finances daily. And if you're a fan of Twenty One Pilots like me, you'll appreciate the nod to their upcoming releases, which hint at the fusion of personal interests with professional insights in this episode.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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Ever feel like Uncle Sam is reaching too deep into your pockets? We've got you covered! On today's lively episode, we're unraveling the complex world of taxes for our ADHD community, tackling a tough question from Yvonne in our ADHD Money Talk Facebook group. She's got a state pension and a 403(b), but no 401(k)—so how can she keep a tight grip on her hard-earned cash? Fear not, because we're not just spewing generic advice; we're serving up educational insights that just might spark some genius tax planning strategies for you.

We kick things off with a candid reminder to look at the big financial picture—because tunnel vision on tax reductions can lead to missed opportunities elsewhere. It might sound paradoxical, but we explore why paying more taxes now could actually save you a bundle in the future, especially if you're eyeing a higher tax bracket with a looming promotion. We'll guide you through the ins and outs of Roth IRAs, 403(b)s, and the often overlooked aspect of tax planning over mere tax minimization. Whether you're juggling a state pension or just trying to outsmart the taxman, this chat is locked and loaded with the financial firepower you need to potentially lower your taxable income and secure a wealthier tomorrow.

Join Our Facebook Community Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/adhdmoneytalk

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In this episode, we dive into the brain's role in financial decision-making, with a special focus on individuals with ADHD. We follow the story of Jordan, who grapples with typical financial decisions, such as whether to make an extra mortgage payment or invest in stocks. Experts like E Sonuga-Barke, G Fairchild, and A Stringaris provide insights into the unique challenges faced by those with ADHD.

We examine how the default mode network, essential for planning and self-reflection, and the amygdala's reward-seeking behavior contribute to impulsive financial decisions that can impact long-term stability.

The episode explores the workings of the ADHD brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex's role in controlling attention and impulses, and the interactions of the frontostriatal and frontoparietal circuits. We also discuss the crucial functions of the anterior cingulate cortex in emotional regulation and the orbitofrontal cortex in error detection, offering a glimpse into the ADHD brain's approach to financial planning.

By the end of this episode, listeners will have a deeper understanding of the complexities of the ADHD mind and the strategies that can assist in navigating the financial challenges associated with it.

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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Ever wondered how to keep your holiday spending in check while living with ADHD? If so, this heart-to-heart conversation is for you. We're tackling the challenging dance of handling personal finances during the festive season, particularly for those of us with ADHD. This episode promises to provide you with tools to combat the cycle of impulsive spending and the aftermath of regret that often sets in once the celebrations are over. We're going to walk you through a quick and effective 20-minute planning process that respects our need for spontaneity without letting our finances run wild.

Let's take a turn and inject some fun into holiday shopping while also imparting financial responsibility. We'll introduce you to the joy of cashback services such as Rakuten and Swagbucks. These are not just entertaining, but they also make shopping at a myriad of retailers an economically sound choice. You'll get a taste of the thrilling reality that is cashback percentages from various retailers and how these services can substantially pad your savings. 

Lastly, we're handing you a survival guide to navigate the tumultuous festive shopping season with ADHD. Be prepared to unearth the significance of setting and adhering to a budget, making the most of cashback services and discount codes, and celebrating your financial victories in the new year. We're here to empower you to overcome the tendencies of impulsive spending and jumpstart the new year with a positive financial outlook. So, join us as we embrace our ADHD, keep things fun, and aim for awesomeness!

Head over to our YouTube channel for the full experience on future episodes.

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