Rethinking Money Systems for ADHD & Neurodivergence with Krystle McGilvery
Most financial advice assumes one thing: that we all think and behave the same way.
Budget monthly. Track everything. Stay organised. Be consistent. But what if that model simply doesn’t fit how your brain works?
In this episode of The Wallet, behavioural finance expert Krystle McGilvery challenges that assumption. From ADHD to broader cognitive diversity, we explore why traditional financial systems often fail, and what to do instead.
This is not about fixing yourself. It is about building systems that actually work for you.
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1. Financial systems were not built for real life
Most financial structures assume:
a stable income
a linear career
consistent behaviour
In reality:
careers are non-linear
income fluctuates
attention, memory and energy vary
Add neurodivergence into the mix, and the gap becomes even wider.
The result: people feel like they are “bad with money” when in fact the system is simply not designed for them.
2. “Bad with money” is often misunderstood behaviour
What looks like irresponsibility is often something else entirely.
Common examples:
Financial avoidance: not replying, not opening accounts, delaying decisions
Impulse spending: emotional regulation, not lack of discipline
Forgetfulness: missed deadlines, subscriptions left running
Time blindness: losing track of financial tasks
These are often protective responses, not failures.
As Krystle explains, the real issue is how systems respond to these behaviours, not the behaviours themselves.
3. Shame turns behaviour into identity
One of the most damaging patterns is the shift from:
“I made a mistake” → “I am bad with money”
Once it becomes identity:
behaviour reinforces itself
avoidance increases
confidence drops
long-term decisions (saving, investing) get delayed
This is where financial progress stalls.
4. The first step: change the story, not just the strategy
Before apps, budgets or investments, the starting point is reframing.
Instead of:
“I’m bad with money”
Think:
“These are learned behaviours”
“My environment is shaping my decisions”
“I can change the conditions”
That shift creates space to act.
5. Design systems that remove decision-making
The most effective solutions are not about willpower. They are about reducing friction.
Practical ways to do this:
Separate your money
bills account
spending account
savings
investing
Clear separation removes constant decision-making.
Use automation, but carefully
automatic transfers
regular savings
scheduled investing
Automation works best when income is stable.
If not, it needs to be adapted.
Reintroduce friction where needed
Convenience is not always helpful.
For example:
contactless payments reduce the “pain of paying”
spending becomes invisible
Solutions:
limit payment methods
use a dedicated spending account
set weekly budgets instead of monthly
6. Apps are not the solution on their own
Many people try multiple apps and still struggle.
Why?
Because:
no single tool fits everyone
behaviour varies widely
systems need to adapt to the individual
What works better:
combining tools with personal systems
focusing on behaviour first, tools second
7. Your environment shapes your financial behaviour
Money does not exist in isolation.
It is influenced by:
relationships
upbringing
conversations
cultural norms
A simple but powerful step:
spend time in spaces where money is discussed openly
This could be:
communities
workshops
trusted online voices
It reduces isolation and normalises the conversation.
8. Avoiding money has real financial consequences
Over time, small gaps compound:
missed pension contributions
unclaimed employer benefits
unnecessary subscriptions
poor account choices
higher day-to-day costs
The impact is not just short-term.
It affects long-term wealth and financial security.
9. Earning is part of the system
Money management is not just about spending and saving.
It also includes:
negotiation
pricing
confidence around earning
Avoidance shows up here too:
not negotiating salary
underpricing services
avoiding difficult conversations
Over time, this means leaving significant money on the table.
10. Confidence is built through action, not personality
Confidence is not fixed.
It is:
situation-specific
built through repetition
strengthened by evidence
The process:
do the uncomfortable thing
survive it
build proof
repeat
That applies to:
asking for a raise
setting prices
making financial decisions
11. Financial education needs to evolve
Most financial education focuses on:
information
access
tools
What is often missing:
behaviour
environment
emotional context
cognitive diversity
The shift needed:
from “what to do”
to “how people actually operate”
12. The bigger picture: inequality compounds
When systems do not adapt:
certain groups fall further behind
financial gaps widen
stress and health are impacted
This is not just individual.
It is structural.
Final takeaway
There is no single “right” way to manage money.
If a system does not work for you, the answer is not to force yourself into it. It is to redesign it.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. With investing, your capital is at risk.
Resources
Connect with Krystle:
Website: Krystle McGilvery
Instagram: @krystle_mcgilvery
LinkedIn: Krystle McGilvery
NeuroFinance OS: free tools and resources for money systems that work with how people actually think
Partnership
AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify.
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