The ADHD Tax

Financial Crimes Committed by My Executive Function

Before I knew I had ADHD, I genuinely thought I was just:

• bad with money
• disorganised
• forgetful
• “not trying hard enough”

Turns out… there’s actually a name for a lot of it.

It’s called the ADHD Tax. And if you know, you definitely know.

The ADHD Tax is the extra money we accidentally spend because our executive functioning is basically being run by a raccoon holding sparklers.

It’s not laziness.
It’s not stupidity.
It’s usually a mix of:

• forgetfulness
• impulsivity
• time blindness
• overwhelm
• distraction
• dopamine chasing

And honestly? It can get expensive. So let’s laugh through the pain together, shall we?

Duplicate Purchases Because “I Can’t Find It”

ADHD logic:

“I can’t find the scissors.”

Normal person: Looks properly.

ADHD person: Buys new scissors.

Three days later: Finds original scissors in fridge next to cheese.

Now owns seven pairs of scissors.

The Salad Bag Graveyard

We had good intentions.

We bought vegetables.
We envisioned cooking.
We believed in ourselves.

But then:

• executive dysfunction happened
• the day got overwhelming
• the salad liquefied in the crisper drawer

And now you’re throwing away a cucumber that died for nothing. Again.

Accidentally Subscribing to Things Forever

Free trial?

Absolutely yes.

Remembering to cancel?

Absolutely not.

At this point I’m probably still financially supporting apps I downloaded during the pandemic.

Late Fees: A Love Story

The ADHD brain has a fascinating relationship with time.

Mainly:
It doesn’t believe in it.

Bills exist in two states:

not urgent

EXTREMELY urgent

There is no in-between.

Paying the “Too Overwhelmed to Cook” Tax

You know what’s expensive? Ordering takeaway because your brain has completely given up.

Not because you’re lazy. Because making food requires:

• decisions
• planning
• energy
• dishes
• existing

And sometimes the nervous system simply says:

“Tonight we survive.”

Impulse Purchases Fuelled by Dopamine

ADHD brains love novelty.

Which is how you end up buying:

• a new hobby
• colour-coded storage containers
• an emotional support water bottle
• seventeen planners that were definitely going to fix your life this time

Spoiler:
The planner was not the issue.

Losing Things That Were Literally Just in Your Hand

Phone.
Keys.
Drink.
Glasses.

Sometimes all simultaneously. Bonus points if you’re searching for your phone while holding your phone.

The Mental Load Is Expensive Too

The ADHD Tax isn’t always financial.

Sometimes it’s:

• shame
• burnout
• feeling “lazy”
• constantly trying to catch up
• apologising for struggling with things others find easy

And honestly? That’s often the hardest part.

The Important Bit

The ADHD Tax doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible. ADHD affects:

• working memory
• task initiation
• planning
• emotional regulation
• impulse control
• time management

These are neurological differences, not character flaws. And while laughing about it helps, support matters too.

Things like:

• visual reminders
• automation
• flexible systems
• compassion
• external supports

…can make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

At this point I’ve accepted that my ADHD Tax contributions are helping keep several industries alive.

Mostly:

• takeaway shops
• stationery stores
• subscription services
• replacement charger manufacturers

But understanding why these patterns happen has replaced a lot of shame with self-compassion.

And honestly? That’s worth more than the expired salad bags.

With love, forgotten passwords, and at least three unfinished projects,

Jody
Neurodivergent mum of three