Implementing new habits and overcoming resistance with ADHD
Hi! I'm Chelsea - a Certified YNAB Budget Coach.
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Not only am I a YNAB fanatic and coach, but I also have ADHD, as do many of my clients.
This blog post started as a way to support my clients with ADHD, but many people struggle to implement new habits. So, if you don't have ADHD and find yourself needing support integrating YNAB into your life, these tips can help you too!
With ADHD, fun and ease are necessary ingredients for success. If something feels boring or has too many steps, forget it. The tips below are ways to get your brain on board with using YNAB after the initial hyper-fixation and novelty wear off.
If you're looking for 1:1 support, whether setting up your YNAB budget or discussing a budget you already have, check out my 1:1 coaching page. I offer flexible packages and standalone sessions to meet you where you're at and support you in whatever way works best for you!
10 Tips for Sticking with YNAB as an ADHD-er
✨ Tip 1: Have YNAB open automatically when you open your internet browser
In Chrome settings, click "On startup," and select YNAB to open automatically whenever you open your browser. This eliminates steps (aka barriers) to accessing your budget.
✨ Tip 2: Create a Bookmarks folder for all of your financial websites (YNAB, banks, etc) and open them all at once when you’re diving into your finances
Create a folder on your Bookmarks Bar for money-related sites. Right-click on the folder and select “open all.” This will open all of your financial websites at once, so you don’t have to remember each one and tediously type them in every time.
✨ Tip 3: Pair YNAB with an enjoyable activity
We want to train you to have positive associations with YNAB. Pair it with something enjoyable like morning coffee, couch lounging with some pet cuddling, visiting a coffee shop, or playing music you like. This will make YNAB sound appealing and fun.
✨ Tip 4: Set a timer
If a particular YNAB task or homework assignment from our coaching sessions sounds daunting or unappealing, set a timer for 10 minutes (or a shorter amount if that feels too much). Sometimes you'll get into a flow and want to continue when the timer runs out, and sometimes you won’t. Either way is fine!
✨ Tip 5: Make your categories fun
Use silly names, emojis, or create categories for random things that make you happy. Get creative and make your budget smile-worthy when you open it.
✨ Tip 6: Use Auto-Assign
While I typically encourage manually assigning money to get a grasp on where your money is going, if manually assigning feels tedious and you want to expedite your YNAB routine, use the Auto-Assign feature to automatically distribute money from "Ready to Assign" to your categories.
✨ Tip 7: Get accountability
Find a friend who uses YNAB, and have a weekly YNAB date where you sit on the phone and reconcile your accounts together.
Or join an ADHD community with body-doubling sessions (everyone sits on Zoom silently working on their own projects). My friend Jak runs an amazing ADHD membership community.
Hire me for accountability! I have clients who do weekly 20-minute Zoom check-ins and some who hire me for occasional Voxer support/accountability. I'm flexible and love finding ways to support you in your continued YNAB journey.
✨ Tip 8: Put YNAB reminders in your calendar or to-do list
Create a weekly event in your calendar for a YNAB date with yourself to reconcile your accounts and review your finances.
Put reminders on your to-do list to log your transactions daily so they don’t build up and become overwhelming
✨ Tip 9: Reframe your budgeting tasks
To combat the ADHD instinct to avoid and procrastinate, reframe your thoughts to focus on the emotional or tangible results you want from the action.
For example, instead of “I have to log my transactions,” think “I want to have a clear picture of where I stand financially this week.”
Or instead of “I need to assign my paycheck,” think “I can’t wait to see how much money I have available in my Live Music category after getting paid this week.”
✨ Tip 10: Apply other effective ADHD support tips to YNAB
Sometimes we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Think about another task or habit you've struggled with before. What helpful tools and techniques did you use? Apply the wisdom of what’s helped you in the past to your current resistance to YNAB.
Maybe there's a certain room in the house where you're most productive, or a specific color in Google Calendar that makes your heart happy. Perhaps you only tackle hard tasks with a special coffee beverage. Whatever it is, give yourself the assistance and accommodations you need!
I hope these tips help you find ways to integrate YNAB into your life, whether you have ADHD or not.
It's all about finding what works for you and making the process as enjoyable as possible.
Using YNAB doesn't have to be a chore—it can be a fun and rewarding part of your routine.
If you have any questions or need more personalized support, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you every step of the way on your budgeting journey.