Even non-ADHD parents have trouble keeping track of household finances, and it's no wonder. Bills and invoices seem to come from every direction and include household expenses and repairs, college and high school tuition and expenses, expenditures for clothing and goods, transportation expenses and car repairs, bills for dentists and routine physical exams, health club membership dues, and food expenses.

Keeping track of the medical expenses and medications related to adult ADHD and childhood ADHD is an overwhelming challenge, especially if you see multiple specialists or take multiple medications. Each doctor visit creates a paper trail that needs to be tracked for reimbursement and tax purposes.

Many ADHD parents also have one or more children with the disorder who are seeing a variety of medical experts, and who may be attending special schools or classes or receiving specialized assistance in college or in the workplace.

Getting a Handle on Household Finances

Many common organizational strategies will help you keep your household finances in order. For instance, establishing a household calendar that includes deadlines for household bills can ensure that someone in the family remembers to pay them.

It's also wise to delegate the family bookkeeping to the spouse who is the most detail-oriented. If neither spouse feels up to the task, the best solution is to hire a bookkeeper.

Establishing Financial Records

From receipts and invoices to insurance claims and health insurance policies, sometimes it's essential to be able to quickly locate the right piece of paper. If you have adult ADHD, you may think you're too impulsive or hyperactive to have the patience for something as dull and boring as filing and tracing receipts.

Unfortunately, not doing so can result in losing hundreds or thousands of dollars. The good news is it doesn't take an MBA to set up an easy filing and tracking system for your family. You can do it yourself using these helpful tips.

Buy an accordion folder for each category of expenses (medical, household, college, summer camp, etc.). The folders are too big for you to lose them, and because they are enclosed on three sides (unlike manila folders), they are a safe place to stash papers and invoices of all shapes and sizes without worrying about them slipping out.

Label each section of the accordion for specific bills, such as doctor's visits, psychologist's visits, prescription medications, medical insurance, specialized classes for children, disability insurance, legal fees, and transportation and mileage. Every time you get a bill, whether it's a physician's invoice or a credit card slip for a medication, file it in the proper place.

Remember to keep track of transportation and mileage to and from doctor's visits, as well as receipts for parking, turnpike tolls, gas, and/or mileage for tax deduction purposes.

If you'd rather keep track of your expenses via computer, Quicken Medical software is an ideal organizational tool for ADHD adults. It lets you electronically file insurance information, provider information, exam histories, payments, and disputed claims for each family member in one place. The program also automatically calculates reimbursable mileage, tax deductions, and flexible spending account contributions. Visit www.quickenmedical.com for details.

By keeping track of medical bills, you'll save money you'd otherwise lose on erroneous credit card statements, higher interest rates and penalties, and lost insurance claims. You'll also avoid the stress and worry of wondering if you've paid a bill on time. In addition, if you feel you've been denied a legitimate insurance claim for a medical bill, you'll have copies of everything you need to fight your case and win.