Money management plays an important role in helping young adults
to be independent. This increased independence also aids future success in post-
secondary education and in the adult workforce. Research also shows that the ability to
manage personal finances in adolescents with disabilities has the potential to
increase future independence. It can also improve mental well-being and future income.
Here are some budgeting tips for neurodiverse individuals:
Setting up a Bank Account
Setting up a bank account can be intimidating for many people. This anxiety can
increase in individuals who may have difficulties adjusting to new social settings.
Bring someone you trust along.
This can make the process of setting up a bank account easier. Try and pick someone who
has been through the process before. They can help explain things that may be unclear,
offer advice about the many options, provide prompts for questions to ask, and give moral
support.
Seek Out ASD-friendly Banks
There are some banks that have ASD friendly spaces within
their organisations. An example is Beyond Bank, which uses strategies like educating
employees about ASD. They are trained on how to communicate with all clients and have
. “disability-friendly” branches across their national network.
Online Banking
Online banking is another option if there aren’t any banks near that are specifically Autism friendly or if transport is a problem. Many banks allow customers to set up and manage checking and savings accounts online. Online banking can also help to reduce the social impacts of personal banking.
Budgeting
You do not need any formal education on money management. Budgeting skills can be learned at home or by using resources available online. There are many educational videos and examples online that give step by step instructions and advice on budgeting.
Utilise Visual Aids for Budgeting
The use of visual supports will help individuals with ASD in learning and memory.
Visual aids can include charts, graphs, and pictures to keep track of your spending. This can make it easier to understand your finances and stay on track with your budget. For this reason, it could be valuable to use one of the many free budgeting apps available online that combine with visual aids.
Apps like EveryDollar can include personal financial goals like paying off debts, saving for a car, travel, etc. It also includes income and expenses while using visuals. Many budgeting apps can be connected to a bank account, so expenses are automatically entered. Other apps that include visuals and break budgeting into easy steps are Intuit Mint Budget Tracker & and Planner and Autism Speaks Financial Planning App.
Be Careful with Credit
Credit cards can be an easy trap making you fall behind on credit card payments and
accumulate debt. People are likely to spend more when they use a credit card than they would
with a debit card. This is because they cannot physically see the money leave their hand or their bank account. This may be especially true for those who rely on visual cues to make sense of money management.
Set Clear goals:
Setting clear goals for your finances can help to keep you motivated and focused. For example, you might set a goal to pay off a debt, save for a specific purchase, or build an emergency fund.
Automate your finances:
Setting up automatic payments and savings can help you stay on track with your budget. For example, you might set up automatic bill payments or have a portion of your paycheck automatically deposited into a savings account.
Break it down:
Budgeting can be overwhelming, so try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, you might start by creating a list of your monthly expenses, then move on to setting a budget for each category.
If you need further assistance or support that can help you to budget please feel free to reach out to the team at The Social Domain.