Book Review: “ADHD Money: A Finance Book Made for Your Neurodivergent Brain” - Tina Mathams

Imagine if Marie Kondo met a financial planner and decided to write a book for people who hate reading books. That’s ADHD Money in a nutshell. It’s fun, forgiving, and formatted in a way that actually works with how ADHD brains operate—short, snappy sections with bold highlights, summaries, and even a touch of humor.

You know that feeling when you buy a finance book, crack it open with good intentions, and then abandon it by page 12? Not this time. ADHD Money is like having a savvy, funny friend walk you through budgeting, saving, and debt in a way that feels manageable, not maddening. It doesn’t guilt-trip you for past mistakes—it gives you the tools to move forward.

Now for our deep dive into Mathams insights...

Does she get it?

The premise of ADHD Money is refreshingly simple: financial advice should be designed to work with ADHD brains, not against them. Traditional finance methods emphasize discipline, consistency, and “willpower” — concepts that, for people with ADHD, feel like trying to wrestle fog. This book flips the script, focusing on simplicity, automation, and momentum.

It’s clear from the start that the author gets it. She understand the shame that often comes with ADHD finances — the unopened bills, the forgotten payments, the impulse spending. Instead of blame, they offer compassion. This is one of the book’s most refreshing aspects: it doesn’t ask you to “just try harder.” Instead, it asks, “What if we made it easier?”

Structure & Readability

For neurodivergent readers, structure is everything. ADHD brains crave predictability but reject monotony, and the book meets that challenge head-on. It’s designed to be ADHD-friendly from cover to cover. Here’s how:

• Short chapters: No marathon reading sessions required.

• Clear headings & bolded text: You can easily skim and still walk away with the key points.

• Actionable steps: Each chapter ends with simple, “doable” actions.

• Reinforcement loops: Core lessons are repeated just enough to stick.

One of the biggest hurdles in ADHD-friendly content is completion. It’s not just about starting a book—it’s about finishing it. ADHD Money is designed to be “finishable,” even if you skip around. You don’t have to read it front to back. Each chapter can stand alone, so you can jump to the debt chapter on a rough day or focus on savings hacks when you feel motivated.

Our Takeaways

Here are some of the most impactful lessons and ideas you’ll find inside:

• The ADHD-Friendly Budget: Traditional budgets fail for ADHD brains because they’re too rigid. ADHD Money introduces a “flexible budgeting method” that works like a financial safety net, not a straitjacket. It’s more of a “bucket” approach than a line-by-line slog.

• Impulse Spending Solutions: The author doesn’t just tell you to “resist temptation” (as if that’s a thing). They offer practical solutions like “purchase pause rules” and “friendly friction points” that slow down impulsive decisions.

• Debt Without Shame: This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Instead of shaming you for carrying debt, it walks you through how to negotiate, prioritize, and automate your debt payments. It’s refreshingly non-judgmental.

• Accountability Systems that Work: Most accountability systems fall apart for ADHD brains. This book offers external accountability options, like leveraging friends, apps, or community support instead of relying solely on willpower.

• Gamification of Finances: ADHD brains love novelty and dopamine. The book teaches you how to “gamify” savings goals with little wins, streaks, and visual progress trackers. It’s the same psychology that makes apps like Duolingo so addicting, applied to personal finance.

The Best Parts

• It’s ADHD-Aware, Not ADHD-Adjacent: This isn’t just a regular finance book with “ADHD” slapped on the cover. Every tip, tool, and strategy is designed with an ADHD lens.

• Zero Shame, 100% Empathy: Other finance books can feel patronizing or guilt-inducing. This one is refreshingly free of blame.

• Practical Tools Over Theory: You won’t get lost in abstract concepts. The book offers specific, repeatable actions, and that’s what makes it stick.

• Momentum-Focused: It doesn’t expect perfection. Instead, it celebrates “micro-wins” — a philosophy that aligns perfectly with ADHD motivation.

Quibles

No book is perfect, and ADHD Money has a few quirks.

• Sometimes Repetitive: To reinforce key ideas, the book repeats certain points a few times. This could feel a little “been-there-read-that” for some readers, but it also aligns with the ADHD principle of spaced repetition.

• Limited Deep Dives: For readers looking for advanced financial strategies (like complex investments or tax optimization), this book keeps it simple. But honestly, that might be a good thing for its intended audience.

• Work-in-Progress Tools: Some tools feel a bit “starter kit” rather than “masterclass.” If you’re already well-versed in financial tech (like automation apps or budgeting software), you may be familiar with some of the methods here.

Who This Book is For

• People with ADHD or Executive Function Issues: This is a no-brainer. If ADHD has ever made you feel like you’re “bad with money,” this book shows you that it’s not you — it’s the system.

• Parents of ADHD Teens/Young Adults: If you’re trying to help your kid build financial skills, this book is an incredible resource.

• Neurodivergent Adults (Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, etc.): While the book explicitly mentions ADHD, many of its principles apply to anyone with executive functioning challenges.

• Anyone Overwhelmed by Traditional Finance Books: You don’t have to have ADHD to benefit from the ADHD-friendly format. It’s a breezy, clear read for anyone who hates dense finance books.

Divergent Money's Verdict: 4.8/5

ADHD Money: A Finance Book Made for Your Neurodivergent Brain delivers exactly what it promises: a finance guide written for ADHD, by someone who gets it. It’s not just about spreadsheets and savings rates — it’s about healing your relationship with money. By prioritizing ease, empathy, and small wins, the book offers an entirely new way to approach financial growth.

While a few sections could be more advanced for readers who already know basic finance concepts, that’s not the point. This book isn’t about financial “perfection.” It’s about progress over perfection. And that’s a message that every ADHD brain deserves to hear.

Pros

✅ ADHD-friendly format (bold, short, simple)
✅ Actionable advice, not theory
✅ Empathy for past mistakes (no shame)

Cons

❌ Could go deeper on advanced topics
❌ Slightly repetitive for readers who “get it” fast

If you’ve struggled to finish other finance books, ADHD Money might just be the first one you finish. It’s not just “ADHD-friendly” — it’s ADHD-empowering. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a kind, clear guide to getting their money life in order.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Full 5 stars for the Divergent Money blog!