Don’t panic! We don’t mean that you’ve been secretly paying a government-inflicted tax based on your ADHD diagnosis. We’re talking about a tax that’s more biologically imposed. The kind of tax that comes from late fees, lost items, impulse purchases, and all other penalties paid when ADHD acts up. If you just threw out a head of cauliflower that you “swore you were gonna chop up” for the fifth week in a row, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Unfortunately, a lot of the side effects that come with ADHD have a cost. That price goes beyond the monetary and includes guilt about wasting and usually harsh self-criticism for being lazy or forgetful. The weighted responsibility and mental bashing aren’t productive and make what are already tricky ADHD symptoms feel even worse. Instead, we should utilize that energy to adjust.

Like in most situations with ADHD, the only way to combat these extra expenses is to take additional precautions to set yourself up for success. By that, we mean that you should make choices with your ADHD in mind. If that means paying a little extra for pre-cut fruit that you know you’ll eat, then pre-cut fruit it is! Yes, it’s more expensive, but not as expensive as buying something only to toss it out. When it comes to food in particular, choose frozen food or pre-made meals that either won’t go rancid or are easy to reach for with minimal work. Not only will this strategy cut back on the waste, but it will also ensure that you get fed and preserve your mental energy for the other things you need it for, like post-dinner dishes.

To save yourself from things like late fees and missed return windows, adjusting your life to suit your ADHD is essential. Make friends with helpful technology like auto-pay, password manager apps (so you can cancel all those free-trial subscriptions), and reminder tools. Present you should always be looking out for future you. While shopping, choose stores that have extended return windows. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of keeping a shopping bag full of clothes ready to be returned in your car and never actually taking it back to the mall. (You can’t see us right now, but our hand is definitely in the air!) It’s a devastating blow when you realize that you missed the window and are now out the money with nothing to show for it. Stores like American Eagle and REI have year-long return windows, ideally suited to ADHD needs. Some of these stores might carry more expensive items, but it’s worth not spending less money on clothes or things that you’ll never use.

The biggest takeaway is that although money is a limited resource, so are willpower and energy with ADHD. Striking a balance between prioritizing both is key. Recognize that budgeting in choices that are easier on your ADHD is an act of self-love and may save you money in the long run. Lastly, whatever you do, don’t punish yourself for investing in things that are more compatible with the way you operate. Your ADHD is out of your control, but how you choose to live with it isn’t.