I’ve never been able to. I’ve tried:
Keeping receipts, text file on laptop, trying to keep track… too absent minded. Forget one receipt, it’s all off.
Bank app on phone? Phone stolen last year, wary.
Weekly visit to atm to check balance? Forget pin, can’t remember, locked out of account.
Paying for everything with cash might work, but unsafe neighborhood. And I forget where cash is, random $20 bills found in bizarre locations months later.
At my wit’s end. Any adhd people experience similar?
Yes.
This is why ADHD leads to OCD, though.
Set aside a time, every day, to do financial care. We are our own worst enemies because everything is always fine in the moment. Make a production out of it, and get the mail, balance the checkbook, and plan your bills over the next month. Maybe roll self care into the process. Use your fun goals of the day as your reward.
Your current checking account is only for receiving pay save distributing funds to your other accounts. One account is for paying bills. You put in the amount you will pay, THEN you pay your bills. Check and reconcile before paying more. Your leisure money goes into a prepaid card.
Have a false bottom in your billpay account. Start with $20. Work up to a larger amount, like $200. Keep a record of your bottom amount.
When you get a big enough amount saved, use it to open a savings account for the sole purpose of catching errors in your account. If your bank doesn’t offer that, consider changing to one that does.