Mad About Money

Mad About Money will help you to make sense of your life if you are neurodivergent or suspect you might be.

Maddy, a 40 year old mum of two, has had her fair share of struggles with money, life and business without always understanding why. With her ADHD and Autism diagnosis, everything suddenly made more sense, and she has used her diagnosis to improve her life. Mad About Money: Managing finances (and life) with ADHD is not your typical money book, it is an unfiltered, honest, sweary and inspiring journey through the life of an undiagnosed neurodivergent woman. Award-winning writer and CPD-accredited neurodiversity specialist , money and business coach Maddy Alexander-Grout walks you through the story of her life. By sharing her own difficulties with money, spending, and debt, she shows you how to apply the lessons she learned in climbing back from over £40000 in consumer debt. But this book is not just about money, it's about the struggles she has had along the way as an undiagnosed neurodivergent with ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia and more.

This book will give you actionable tips to navigate life as a neurodivergent, manage your money, learn to understand your brain and make sense of your past, especially if you are, or suspect you, are neurodivergent.

In the book:

• Applicable strategies for managing your money, parenting , mental health and starting a business as an undiagnosed neurodivergent
• Tips for managing your ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions
• Strategies for how to deal with a range of financial challenges—including debt and spending addictions—when you're neurodivergent

An essential read for anyone who is neurodivergent or suspects they might be, especially if they have struggled with money and life up to now. Mad About Money is empowering, insightful and the perfect read for anyone who feels misunderstood in a world designed for neurotypical people.

Foreword xi

Acknowledgements xv

Preface xvii

Introduction xxi

Chapter 1 Just a Girl 1

Chapter 2 The Kids Aren’t Alright 17

Chapter 3 Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) 37

Chapter 4 Butterfly 47

Chapter 5 Don’t Let Me Get Me 55

Chapter 6 I Just Wanna Live 83

Chapter 7 Move Along 93

Chapter 8 Swing Life Away 103

Chapter 9 Spiralling 111

Chapter 10 I Want You 129

Chapter 11 End Transmission 137

Chapter 12 What It Is to Burn 143

Chapter 13 The Middle 155

Chapter 14 Weightless 165

Chapter 15 Patience 177

Chapter 16 It Must Be Love 183

Chapter 17 Feeling a Moment 193

Chapter 18 Learn to Fly 207

Chapter 19 I’m With You 217

Chapter 20 Heartbeats 225

Chapter 21 Go Your Own Way 235

Chapter 22 Drunken Lullabies 245

Chapter 23 Everybody Wants to Rule the World 251

Chapter 24 Believer 261

Chapter 25 Beating Heart Baby 269

Chapter 26 Cannonball 273

Chapter 27 Mountains 279

Chapter 28 Blinding Lights 283

Chapter 29 Beautiful Way 291

Chapter 30 Iris 297

Chapter 31 Dancing Queen 303

Chapter 32 Find Me 309

Chapter 33 What You Know 317

Chapter 34 Keep Your Head Up 329

Chapter 35 Fix You 345

Chapter 36 Maybe 363

Chapter 37 Overcome 371

Resources 381

The F**k: Glossary 385

About the Author 391

Index 393

Maddy Alexander-Grout is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, ADHD business coach, and speaker, helping neurodivergents to improve their money story.

“I am a big fan of Maddy’s work and this book of hers is informative, educational and bloody entertaining too. She’s been through a lot - so the rest of us don’t have to! Full of wisdom - you will finish this book and be better equipped to manage your brain and finances as a result.”
—SIMON MUNDIE, Host of ‘A New Way of Being’, Author, and BBC broadcaster

“Maddy’s book gives an honest tell all glimpse into the life of an alongside solutions and tangible advice. Her experience may be different to yours but it is littered with so many familiar experiences for those with ADHD that you will most definitely find yourself on those pages. I know that I did. Go get a copy for every ADHD’er you know!”
—HOLLY MATTHEWS, Founder of Happy Me Project, Self Development coach

“If you don’t open your post, spend before thinking, or want to start a business, you must read this book. This is the authentic reality behind the ADHD tax.”
—LEANNE MASKELL, Founder, ADHD Works & author of AuDHD: Blooming Differently

“Maddy has perfectly encapsulated the thoughts of Disabled people, and the barriers society has placed in our way, whilst also providing practical solutions to breaking these barriers down, building confidence in our identity for generations to come.”
—CELIA CHARTRES-ARIS, Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 #1, 2024

Mad About Money isn’t just another boring finance book, it’s a raw, unfiltered, and inspiring take on money, life, and ADHD.

Maddy has gone from £40k in debt (twice) to running a six-figure business.

She’s well known for sharing her expertise in mainstream media, breaking down money in an honest, relatable, and jargon-free way and using neurodivergent-friendly strategies that actually work.

This book goes beyond money, it’s about managing life with ADHD, relationships, resilience, and more. Packed with real, practical strategies, Maddy’s been there, done that, and bought all the T-shirts (in every color!).

If money and life feel overwhelming, Mad About Money will help you take back control and build a financial future that works for you.