ADHD, Executive Function, and Money: Practical Strategies for Financial Wellness with Laurel Black

Welcome to another episode of Modern Financial Wellness! I’m your host, Jim Grace. On this show, we explore what it means to truly thrive financially—not just in terms of dollars and cents, but in terms of how we relate to money emotionally and practically. In today’s episode, we’re diving into an important and often misunderstood topic: how ADHD and executive functioning challenges can affect our financial lives. Whether you have a diagnosis or just sometimes feel overwhelmed by to-do lists and money decisions, this conversation offers insight and practical strategies for everyone.

Joining me is an expert in the field, Laurel Black. Laurel is the Director of Executive Function Coaching at ResearchILD and works as an ADHD and executive function coach with adults at Brightmind Coaching. Laurel brings a wealth of experience working with both students and adults navigating the challenges of executive function and ADHD in their day-to-day lives.

We opened with a high-level discussion of what neurodiversity and ADHD actually mean, including how people relate to these diagnoses as part of their identity. Laurel explained that neurodivergence is an umbrella term covering a range of ways people’s brains work differently, and she inspired us to approach these differences with curiosity and respect.

We then drilled down into the core aspects of executive functioning, how ADHD acts as a "disorder of goal-oriented behavior," and why managing financial tasks can be uniquely difficult for those struggling with executive function. Laurel shared how the dopamine system influences motivation and focus, how impulsivity and social needs can shape financial habits, and why people with ADHD might experience everything from shopping sprees to a flood of anxiety when paying bills.

We also explored the emotional side of executive functioning and money: the cycle of procrastination, rejection sensitivity, and the heavy weight of social comparison. Laurel shared her own Eris framework—a practical tool for untangling expectations, reality, and emotions—so listeners can start taking manageable steps forward, no matter where they are.

We wrapped up with actionable insights and recommendations for listeners, from books to check out to strategies for carving out clarity and agency in financial decision-making.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Executive Functioning Isn’t Just for Those with ADHD: ADHD often makes executive functioning weaknesses more noticeable, but stress, anxiety, and busy lives can drain anyone’s “self-control gas tank.” Good executive function skills—like organizing, prioritizing, and flexibility—benefit everyone, especially when handling finances.
2. Motivation and Attention Are Tied to Biology and Emotion: People with ADHD often seek novelty and social connection for dopamine hits, making it tough to prioritize long-term financial goals over short-term rewards or distractions. The impulsivity and emotional intensity can impact spending, saving, and follow-through.
3. Procrastination Is About Emotion—Not Time Management: According to Laurel and research she cites, procrastination usually masks emotional avoidance—like fear of failure, rejection, or not meeting expectations—rather than simple laziness or bad time management. Recognizing and naming these emotions is the first step to moving forward.
4. Try the ERAS Framework to Move Past Overwhelm: Laurel’s ERAS model (Expectation, Reality, Adjust, Start) helps break down moments of emotional overwhelm—financial or otherwise—into manageable chunks: clarify expectations, check reality, make adjustments, and take just one next step.
5. Clarity and Agency Are the Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing: Laurel emphasizes that financial wellness isn’t about having unlimited resources, but about knowing your reality, setting realistic expectations, making intentional adjustments, and taking small steps that build agency and control. Social...