ADHD & Money: 4 Ways to Save Smarter

ADDitude's editors pick their favorite, affordable web resources to help ADHD adults manage the everyday essentials.

by ADDitude Editors

1. Pay Bills on Time
Online bill paying via your bank's site is useful, but there's always a chance you'll forget to sign on and pay bills on time.

Paytrust.com won't let you forget: It e-mails you when a bill arrives at its site, and you can log in and pay it. If you ignore it, you'll get another e-mail prior to the late payment date.

As with banks, you can set up recurring payments, but Paytrust also allows you to pay for things that don't have an incoming bill-the babysitter, a rug-cleaning service.

$12.95/month for service on 30 bills.

Tip #2: Stick to a Budget

Stick to a Budget

2. Stick to a Budget

Budget software, from Snowmint Creative Solutions (snowmintcs.com), can keep you out of money hell.

Unlike most money management software — which tracks your expenses and balance after you've spent your grocery stash on, say, a smartphone — Budget sorts your income into virtual "envelopes," so you can immediately see how much you can spend in each category.

When you pay a bill or purchase something, the amount is subtracted from one of your envelopes (split transactions are possible), and everything is updated to show your current balance by category. A lot easier than opening up real envelopes and hoping there's enough inside, right?

$29.95 for CD (Mac or PC).

Tip #3: Save on Groceries

Save on Groceries

3. Save on Groceries

If remembering to pick up every item on your shopping list is a challenge, finding items that are also on sale may be impossible. Thegrocerygame.com has you covered.

At The Grocery Game, you'll get weekly lists of the lowest-priced groceries in your supermarket, along with manufacturer coupons and weekly specials that may not be advertised.

$1 for a month-long trial; $10 every two months thereafter.

Tip #4: Shop Smarter Wherever You Are

Shop Smarter

4. Shop Smarter

Homework, doctor appointments, martial arts lessons — raising a child with ADHD is a 24/7 job. Who has the time — or the energy — to shop? You do, if you log on to pricegrabber.com.

Enter the item you're searching for — running shoes or a digital camera — and the shopping bot will find the lowest price online. You'll save money and skip sales tax, and have more time to spend with your child.

Free; visit pricegrabber.com

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of ADDitude. Visit our store to order the full issue. Not yet a subscriber? Try your first issue risk-free!

More Resources on Money Management
Free ADHD Printable: How to Bring Your Bills Under Control

12 Questions to Ask: Ready to Get Your Finances Back on Track

You Deserve It! Quick Ways to Save for Occasional Splurges