Beyond Willpower: Building Financial Systems That Work for Your Brain

Beyond Willpower: Building Financial Systems That Work for Your Brain

Author: NerdWallet Personal Finance June 29, 2026 Duration: 35:22
Learn how to approach finances if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with neurodivergency or had a brain injury. Not everyone thinks in the same way, so what are some strategies for folks with neurodivergence or brain injuries to help them manage their finances? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by Dr. Christine Hargrove, clinical assistant professor and assistant director of Love and Money Center at the University of Georgia. She specializes in ADHD and finances, and talks through some of the ways that people struggle with financial tasks and suggests strategies to bring structure to this area of life.  Some of the tips they share include setting reminders, creating a system so that you don’t feel overwhelmed throughout a process, and finding resources that can help you each step of the way. Resources discussed in this episode: Find a CFA near you AnnualCreditReport.com Savvy Ladies Foundation for Financial Planning VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) National Disability Institute Financial Planning Association AFC Directory Subscribe to our podcast’s free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money can feel complicated, but it doesn't have to be a source of constant stress. On NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, the team of experienced personal finance journalists from NerdWallet takes the questions you're actually asking and turns them into a straightforward conversation. You'll hear them unpack the nuances of everyday financial choices, from figuring out the right way to budget for an irregular income to demystifying how to start investing without a huge sum of money. They tackle everything-credit card strategies, the true costs of homeownership, and effective saving techniques-by cutting through the noise and popular myths. Every discussion is rooted in careful research and a practical understanding of how people live their lives, ensuring the advice you get is both credible and immediately useful. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting reliable guidance from a knowledgeable friend who wants you to succeed. Each episode leaves you with a clearer perspective and concrete steps you can take to feel more in control of your financial future, building confidence one decision at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 48:33
Which financial pro do you need: a CFP, CPA or CFA? Plus, an economist explains why "good" economic data doesn't always feel that way. Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down live, in-studio, with a listene…