Avoid Impulsive Spending with ADHD

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBecome Aware of Your Impulsive SpendingMake Shopping ListsUse Cash Rather Than Credit CardsDelay the Impulse to SpendKeep Tags on PurchasesShop OnlineDiscuss Major Purchases Before BuyingDon’t Shop SociallyLearn to Say No

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Become Aware of Your Impulsive Spending

Make Shopping Lists

Use Cash Rather Than Credit Cards

Delay the Impulse to Spend

Keep Tags on Purchases

Shop Online

Discuss Major Purchases Before Buying

Don’t Shop Socially

Learn to Say No

Close

For many people withADHD, it is hard to resist impulsive spending. Impulsivity is one of the majorsymptoms of ADHD, so it is not uncommon for those with ADHD to buy first and think later.

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

The first step to making a change in behavior is to recognize the problem. Once you acknowledge that uncontrolled spending is an issue, your awareness of the problem will help you follow through with a plan to stop.

Use lists to write down needed items before you go out shopping. Purchase only what is on your list. We have all fallen into the trap of going to the grocery store when we are hungry and buying (and spending) much more than we really need. Lists will help you maintain control overspending.

Credit cards can certainly be convenient, but they can also be dangerous when it comes to impulsive spending. Use cash for purchases. It is a whole lot harder to see your cash disappear.

Shop with an empty wallet. Use the time to look around and find exactly what you need, then ask the salesperson to hold the item for one day. Go home and think about it. Do you really need this item? Can you afford to buy it?

If you do end up buying an item, keep the tags on for one or two days. Or if the item is in a box, keep the box sealed and don’t open it. Take some time to consider your purchase. You can always take it back the next day if you decide it was bought on impulse.

If you are in need of a new pair of walking shoes, rather than going to a mall full of temptations, go online. Add a few choices to your shopping cart, then wait a few days to consider your choice. Use this time to decide if it is really what you want and need.

Before shelling out lots and lots of money on a major purchase, discuss it with your spouse, a friend or family member. Use them to help you sort through whether or not it is wise to purchase the item.

The mall is a fun place to visit, and often times groups offriendswill get together for social time while shopping. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of shopping and make purchases that you don’t really need when friends are around to tell you how great the item is.

Rather than getting into the habit of saying “I must have,” get a handle on what you really need. It is so easy to “shop ‘til you drop,” but it is really difficult to deal with the negative repercussions of this behavior.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?