I first met Maddy Alexander-Grout when I did a Neurodiversity in the Workplace Training Instructor course with Thrive Neurodiversity and Mental Health in January 2023. She was part of my cohort, and I was immediately struck by her passion, bubbly personality and her outside of the box thinking – I got on with her like a house on fire. I’ve been following her journey ever since and dipped my toe into her business community but had to come out of it due to time constraints (I will be back Maddy!).

So, when she released her first book Mad About Money: Managing Finances (and Life) with ADHD recently I knew I had to get hold of a copy. I couldn’t put it down; it is a refreshingly candid and empowering guide that redefines personal finance through a neurodivergent lens.

But this is far from a conventional book about money. It is a deeply personal narrative interwoven with practical advice, making it both relatable and actionable those of us who are navigating financial challenges alongside having ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.

A Raw and Relatable Narrative

Who is Maddy Alexander-Grout? Well, she is an entrepreneur and neurodiversity advocate, who also has ADHD and other diagnoses. She shares her journey from grappling with over £40,000 in debt to becoming a successful business owner and founder of the Mad About Money app. Her late diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and dyspraxia provide a backdrop for exploring the often-overlooked intersection of neurodivergence and financial management.

After all, those of us who are neurodivergent with conditions such as autism and ADHD often pay over the odds for the unexpected, recurring expenses caused by symptoms of ADHD. While they are not literally taxes, they are the financial consequences of forgetfulness, inattention and impulsivity. Some examples include replacing lost items such as keys, last minute bookings or missed sales, forgetting to cancel subscriptions and late fees from forgotten payments. It is thought that the ADHD tax can total more than £1600 a year.

It is so refreshing to read a book full of practical help, advice, hints and tips and to also follow Maddy’s journey, as it offers readers a no holds barred honest portrayal of the struggles and triumphs that come with managing finances while neurodivergent.

Practical Strategies Rooted in Experience

Mad About Money also delivers tangible strategies tailored for neurodivergent individuals like me. Topics range from managing impulsive spending and dealing with executive dysfunction to navigating debt and building sustainable financial habits. Maddy’s insights are grounded in her lived experience, something I could relate to massively given my own diagnoses of autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, making her advice both credible and compassionate.

The book also covers some broader life challenges, including parenting, mental health, and entrepreneurship, offering a holistic approach to personal development. Chapters with titles like “Spiralling” and “Keep Your Head Up” perfectly mirrors the complexities of life with ADHD, providing readers with digestible sections that resonate on an emotional level.

Extending Her Mission Beyond the Page

Mad About Money is more than a book; it’s part of a larger initiative spearheaded by Alexander-Grout to support and empower neurodivergent individuals. The accompanying Mad About Money app offers a community platform, financial resources, and wellbeing tools, all designed with neurodivergent users in mind. Additionally, the Mad About Money podcast extends these conversations, featuring expert guests and real-life stories that further explore the nuances of financial management within neurodivergent contexts. I could relate to everything she wrote in the book so much and it helped me massively to realise I was not alone and I had the exact same struggles as Maddy. I love how she turned those struggles into strengths and how candid she is about her diagnoses and how they affect her.

Final Thoughts

While the world is saturated with one-size-fits-all financial advice, Mad About Money stands out as a must-read guide for those seeking guidance that acknowledges and embraces neurodiversity. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it, I found it so relatable, with Maddy’s blend of personal narrative and practical advice creating a strong resource that is both enlightening and empowering.

Whether you’re neurodivergent or simply looking for a more compassionate approach to financial management, this book offers valuable insights that challenge conventional norms and inspire meaningful change. Well done and congratulations Maddy, this is the book that EVERY neurodivergent person should read.

The book can be bought from Amazon here – Mad About Money.

For more information on Maddy Alexander-Grout’s initiatives, visit the Mad About Money website.