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By Dana Skalin July 24, 2025
Being neurodivergent or chronically ill doesn’t mean you’re a definite scam target. Scam risk is about access, isolation, and emotional vulnerability. I can help!
By Dana Skalin July 24, 2025
Why everyday tasks can sometimes feel overwhelming with ADHD and what you can do about it. Real talk, real fixes, and a little insight into my own diagnosis.
By Dana Skalin July 22, 2025
Confused about CBT vs. DBT? Learn the key differences, brain science, and how to choose the right therapy... especially for neurodivergent folks.
By Dana Skalin July 21, 2025
Your brain changed, your body’s glitching, and nobody warned you. Welcome to menopause with ADHD & chronic illness. Here’s what helps me and what might help you!
By Dana Skalin July 21, 2025
The intersection of ADHD and fibromyalgia is more common than most people realize. A place where science & lived experience meet.
By Dana Skalin July 21, 2025
Struggling to remember things with ADHD? It’s not you—it’s your working memory. Here’s why your brain blanks out and what to do about it.
By Dana Skalin July 16, 2025
The only guide you will ever need to consult to fully understand how nutrition and hormones affect you during menopause and perimenopause.
By Dana Skalin July 15, 2025
Entrepreneurship is painted as a path for the bold, the tireless, and the energetic. I share my experience, lessons learned, and strategies that propel me upward.
By Dana Skalin July 13, 2025
Dyscalculia isn’t about being “bad at math” or “lazy” or “not trying hard enough.” It’s about having a brain that just processes numbers differently or not at all.
By Dana Skalin July 11, 2025
Been told you’re “too sensitive, or taking things personally”? Welcome to the club where the possibility of rejection can send your brain spiraling.
By Dana Skalin July 9, 2025
Welcome to nervous system regulation—a game-changer for anyone who’s ever felt hijacked by their own body.
Someone holding a jar with money and there is a post it on the jar that has
By Dana Skalin July 6, 2025
I have said it before, and I will say it again and again: It's not that neurodivergent folks are “bad with money” — it's that we are expected to navigate a financial system that doesn't jive with how our brains actually work. But that doesn’t mean we can’t totally slay our money goals — it just means we need a system that speaks fluent dopamine, not shame spirals. This mini-guide is your step-by-step walkthrough to building a budget that’s actually sustainable, even if executive function is a daily gamble and impulse control depends on how overstimulated you are. Step 1: Learn the Basics (AKA: WTF is a Budget?) Before we build a system that works for your brain, let’s decode the basics — but don’t worry, we’re skipping the jargon. A budget is just a plan for where your money goes. That’s it. It’s not a moral test. It’s not a grade on your life. It’s a tool. Think of it as your money GPS — it helps you get where you want to go financially, without driving in circles until you run out of gas (or rent money). Here’s what you need to know: Track what’s coming in (hello, income). Track what’s going out (rent, snacks, subscriptions you forgot you had). Figure out your financial goals (freedom? travel? paying off soul-sucking debt?). Separate needs from wants — but make sure dopamine gets a seat at the table too. Wants aren’t evil. They’re fuel. Once you’ve got that down, you’re ready for the fun part: turning this into something that feels good to maintain. Step 2: Name Your Expenses (a.k.a. Budget Like a Detective) Time to get nosy with your money. Grab your bank statements, your brain, and maybe a snack — this is your budgeting stakeout. Start with: Fixed expenses: Rent, insurance, internet — these don’t change much. Variable expenses: Groceries, gas, that one “emergency” Target run that somehow cost $200. Sneaky dopamine leaks: Little purchases that hit your brain's reward center but leave your budget gasping. (Looking at you, impulse DoorDash.) Now — prioritize. And no, that doesn’t mean cutting out every fun thing. It means making sure your must-haves are covered before your brain convinces you to emotionally invest in an air fryer, ten candles, and a laser keyboard. Hot Tip: Rank your expenses using three buckets: Non-negotiable survival stuff Growth + freedom investments Dopamine treats that are worth it (on purpose) You’re not depriving yourself — you’re taking the wheel. Step 3: Build Your Budget, Not Suze Orman’s Here’s where it gets personal. Neurodivergent brains need systems that are flexible, visual, forgiving, and (ideally) kind of fun. That means your budget should work with your brain, not against it. Ask yourself: Do you need visuals? (Color-coded charts, sticker rewards, tracked progress?) Do you need sensory reminders? (Journaling with gel pens? A cozy blanket budget session?) Do you need simplicity? (Like, two categories: “Money I Can Use” and “Money I Can’t Touch”?) Do you need automation because time blindness is real? (Auto-pay and savings transfers = chef’s kiss.) There’s no “right” way — there’s only what actually helps you show up consistently. Pick a method: Incremental budgeting: build slowly, focus on progress over perfection. Zero-based budget: Every dollar has a job, super strict! Envelope systems or apps: great for tactile or visual learners. 50/30/20 rules: structured but adjustable. The Dopamine Budget™ Method (hi, it’s us): reward-based, priority-driven, and guilt-free. The key: make it yours. Neurodivergent brains thrive when we’re given permission to innovate. So give yourself that permission. Step 4: Lock In the Long Game (Even If Your Brain Lives in the Now) Okay, you’ve got your budget bones — now let’s give it some staying power. Neurodivergent budgeting isn’t about bootstraps or spreadsheets. It’s about systems that reduce friction and spark motivation. Here’s how to future-proof your finances: Set dopamine-aligned goals Don’t just save for “retirement” — yawn. Save for things that light you up. A trip? A gaming console? Financial peace? Put it front and center. Track your progress — in a fun way Think sticker charts, color-coded graphs, or a “money wins” jar. Celebrate every step. Automate what you can We love a good routine because we forget things. Automate savings, bills, and transfers so you don’t have to remember (or panic at 2 a.m.). Check in regularly — without judgment Treat it like a vibe check, not a performance review. “What’s working? What’s not? What do I need this month?” Find your support system That could be a money coach, a therapist who gets executive dysfunction, or even a friend who’ll cheer you on after paying off your phone bill. Budgeting Isn’t a Personality Test — It’s a Power Move By understanding the basics, getting honest with your expenses, creating a plan that’s actually human hello sensory needs), and committing to strategies that spark consistency — you’re not just managing money. You’re taking back control of your narrative. Budgeting doesn’t have to be boring, rigid, or shaming. It can be dopamine-fueled, rebellious, and low-key delightful. So ditch the guilt. Set the goal. Make it yours. Need more help? In August 2025, I am launching: Financially Fluent AF™: Money Truths That’ll Save Your Sanity This self-paced, no-BS neurodivergent-friendly, no-shame-needed-course, breaks down 20 foundational money truths in a way that’s finally clear, empowering, and actually fun. We skip the jargon and go straight for the glow-up. Course includes life-time access to all modules, digital downloads, quizzes, and trackers. Sign up for free to Unqualified Opinion here and be the first to know when doors open!!
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By Dana Skalin July 3, 2025
Struggling with budgeting? This 8-step Dopamine Budget™ strategy is designed for ADHD & neurodivergent brains—flexible, fun, and shame-free.
By Dana Skalin April 7, 2025
Have ADHD and struggling? Read this, it will change your life!
By Dana Skalin April 7, 2025
So you suspect you or someone you love might have ADHD? Here is how to get a diagnosis.
By Dana Skalin April 7, 2025
For decades, girls and women with ADHD went undiagnosed and suffered. The medical community has caught up, and we now know what to look for.
By Dana Skalin April 7, 2025
A diagnosis of fibromyalgia does not need to be a death sentence. You do not need to live your life in pain. There are treatment options available.