How to Build a Recession-Ready Budget (Even If You Hate Budgeting)

ADHD-friendly strategies that bring clarity—not control.

👋 This is the first of 8 free guides in the Recession Survival Series. Each one is packed with practical, no-shame strategies to help you navigate tough times—especially if you’ve got ADHD or just hate all the usual money advice.

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I Hate Budgeting. Here’s Why I Still Do It Anyway.

Let’s get personal for a minute.

I’ve always hated budgeting.

Even now, as someone who helps others with it, I still don’t love it.

I used to avoid it entirely—until life forced me to take a closer look.

I realized that when things are financially tight (like during a recession), avoiding the numbers only makes things worse.

So I found a way to make it work for me.

I don’t use fancy apps. I use a simple spreadsheet where I jot down what I’ve spent, what’s coming in, and how it’s tracking against my budget.

It takes maybe five minutes a day—tops—but it gives me eyes on my money.

And when you have ADHD like I do, that visibility is everything.

This post is about helping you do the same: create a flexible, ADHD-friendly money system that gives you power without pressure.

Step 1: Ditch Perfection. Aim for Awareness.

Most people try to build the “perfect budget”... then abandon it two weeks in because life happens.

Gods know how many types of budgets I’ve created. Too many.

Instead, let’s start with a Money Snapshot.

It’s not about changing anything yet—just seeing what’s happening.

Here’s how:

• List your income (salary, freelance gigs, benefits, etc.)

• Write down your fixed expenses—the non-negotiables like rent, car payment, insurance.

• Then list those “how is this always a surprise?” expenses: birthdays, pet meds, back-to-school supplies, Amazon sprees (unless you’re boycotting).

Example:

Jenna, one of my clients, realized she was over-drafting her account every few months—not because she was overspending, but because four major bills hit on the same week.

Once she spotted that pattern, we shifted some due dates and gave her breathing room.

That one change saved her over $100 in overdraft fees, which is now paying other bills.

Step 2: Build a Money Map (Not a Straightjacket)

A traditional budget has you tracking every coffee. No thanks.

A Money Map gives you a big-picture view without micromanaging.

Break your money into ADHD-friendly “buckets”:

1. Essentials – Rent, utilities, phone bill, groceries

2. Flex Zone – Gas, dining out, subscriptions

3. Freedom Fund – Spontaneous treats, self-care, dopamine boosts

4. Safety Stack – Emergency savings—even $5 counts

5. Future You – Debt payments, long-term savings, goals

Real-world tip:

I used to forget my car registration every year, even with the reminder emails.

Now, I toss $15/month into a “surprise car stuff” bucket. When it hits, I’m ready. No stress, no scramble.

Step 3: Automate the Boring Stuff

If you’ve got ADHD, decision fatigue is real. Automation = fewer decisions.

Here’s what you can automate:

• Bill payments (or at least reminders)

• Transfers to savings—start small, like $5-10/week

• Weekly money check-ins—put it in your calendar like any other meeting

Personal tip:

I do my money check-in every Sunday with my coffee.

I pull up my spreadsheet, glance over spending, and update my “what’s left” total.

It keeps me anchored—without obsessing over every line item.

Step 4: Plan for Chaos (Because It’s Coming)

Especially in a recession, stuff breaks. Hours get cut. You impulse-buy a weighted blanket at 2 a.m.

That doesn’t make you bad with money. It makes you human.

So build wiggle room into your system. Call it a “Chaos Cushion,” “Life Happens” fund, or just leave a $100 buffer in checking.

Example:

One client set aside $50/month for “nonsense purchases.”

When her dishwasher broke and she panic-bought $40 worth of takeout, she didn’t spiral.

She’d planned for the chaos.

This Isn’t About Control. It’s About Power.

You don’t need to be a finance expert. You don’t need to budget every penny.

You just need to see what’s happening and build a system that supports you when things get messy.

That’s a recession-ready budget.

What’s Next in the Recession Survival Series?

Coming up next:

• What to Do Right Now If You’re Worried About Losing Your Job

• Stock Up Without Breaking the Bank: Smart Pantry Building on $10/Week

• Grow Your Own Greens: Food Security on a Sunny Windowsill

• Lower Your Bills Without Calling Customer Service

• Make a Community Wealth Plan (Because We Get Through This Together)

• What to Say When You Can’t Afford Something (Without Shame or Excuses)

• How to Mentally Survive a Recession (Without Turning Off Your Humanity)

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🔒 Premium Content for Paid Members

Thank you to all my Pathfinder Advocates who financially support my work.

Each post in this series has a bonus pack just for you.

The bonus pack for this post includes:

1. A fill-in-the-blank Money Map template

2. A mini “Quick Start” guide explaining how to use it

3. An example from my personal system

4. A monthly reflection page to spot patterns and wins