Managing your money with autism

Money management can feel overwhelming, especially when you're autistic.

But rest assured, you’re not alone.

In fact, more than 800 of the people we’ve helped over the last year told us they were autistic.

And interestingly, many of these were Gen Z or millennials - people who are figuring out how to be financially independent, possibly for the first time.

That’s why we believe it’s so important to find ways to look after your finances that suit you and your circumstances.

Why is good money management so important?

Getting a handle on your money can make a big difference to your life.

With good money habits, you’re in a better position to:

• keep your money safe
• avoid missing rent, bills or subscriptions
• stay out of debt
• plan for treats, holidays and hobbies
• save for the future

If you know your finances are under control, you can feel more certainty, security and peace of mind.

And that gives you more space to focus on what matters most to you.

How autism can make managing your money harder

Keeping on top of your finances can be daunting and challenging for most of us.

But it’s fair to say, it can be a bit more challenging if you’re autistic.

For example, you might experience sensory overload if you’re dealing with confusing paperwork or waiting in a crowded bank.

Or maybe you have trouble starting tasks, switching focus or remembering deadlines.

If any of this feels familiar, know that it’s valid - and that there are ways to make money management easier.

1.    Automate your payments

Avoid missed payments by setting up direct debits for rent, utilities and phone bills.

2.    Use reminders

Alarms or calendar alerts can help you keep up with payment dates and budgeting check-ins.

3.    Try visual tools

Use colour-coded spreadsheets or apps with simple visuals to keep track of your money.

4.    Break tasks down

Don’t give yourself a mountain to climb. Instead of setting large goals like “sort my finances”, start with smaller, specific task, such as “check bank balance”.

5.    Limit temptation

Take away the temptation to spend impulsively by unsubscribing from marketing emails and setting spending limits on your bank app.

Know your rights

If you’re autistic, you’re legally protected under the Equality Act 2010. 

This means banks, credit card providers, and other financial services mustn’t treat you unfairly because of your neurodiversity and must make reasonable adjustments to help you access their services, such as:

• having a quiet space at a bank branch
• communicating with you in writing rather than over the phone
• giving you extra time to fill in forms and complete tasks
• assigning a staff member to give you support

If you’re struggling, tell your bank what you need.

They have a duty to help you.

Try our budget planner

The first step to good financial management is knowing exactly how much money you’ve got coming in each month.

This should include everything from wages and benefits to earnings from side hustles.

Next, you need to track your outgoings, such as rent, bills, food, transport and subscriptions.

You’ll then have a clear idea of how much you have left over for treats, luxuries and non-essentials, and work out where you can cut costs and save money.

Get started by checking out our guide to how to create a budget, so you can see how much money you have coming in each month and where it goes.

And give our budget planner a try - it’s free and easy to use.

Find out what benefits you’re entitled to

If you’re autistic, you might qualify for support such as:

• personal independence payment (PIP)
• universal credit
• council tax discounts
• support with energy bills

If you think you might be missing out on benefits or other financial support, we can check you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to. 

So get in touch or try our benefits calculator.