How to curb spending habits as a sahm

[Cokefirst]

I’m currently a SAHM to twins, and I start part time work in January.
Due to the repetitiveness I get really bored whilst they nap during the day, and find myself ordering things online. I budget quite strictly usually but as it’s been nearly 1.5 years of being a SAHM I sometimes get in a low mood and buy things to make myself feel better.

How do I stop this as I’m obviously not in the position of being able to just order beauty/ clothes etc online all the time.

Can you find things to distract yourself with during nap time? How about an online yoga class or a good box set or book? So you have something to look forward to while they're asleep.

Cut up any credit cards or give them to your H.

Enrol in some therapy to help with your low mood and compulsive spending.

Find something else to help with the boredom like enrolling in some baby groups, or start a hobby you can do from home (knitting is a good one - winter is coming!).

If it is really extreme, ask your H to load a prepaid card for you so you can e.g. do the food shop but you don't have access to the bulk of the family's cash.

If it’s clothes, start selling bits on Vinted and only allow yourself to spend what you earn from sales.

In this day and age of having sheet face masks/foot masks I'd be giving myself a bit of a pamper while having a rest.

Set a timer and do a few odd jobs that have needed seeing too, surprising how much you can get done.

It's obviously become a habit and it's so easy to just sit down and scroll, can you have a rule where kids nap = equals phone on the worktop and not to be touched even if it's only every other day to begin with.

I was about to say Vinted. You could use nap time to go through clothes, books, games etc that you or the DCs don't use any more and put them up for sale. It will keep you busy and might make some cash.

Sign up to the Storygraph app and set yourself some book reading goals?

Experiment with cooking different recipes?

Try Duolingo?

Find a yoga or mindfulness app?

I was about to say that being a SAHM clearly doesn't it suit you if you're compulsively spending to get through the day, but then I saw you're returning to work in a few months. Surely, if you're up the wall with twins when awake, them napping is a lovely chance just to rest and be less busy, read, do yoga, exercise at home, make yourself something you like to eat, drink a cup of coffee when it's hot, garden, watch TV etc?

Sorry what? Bored at nap times?! I relish the silence. Suggest you get a hobby 😄 or read a book!

I use nap times to play games (I like Stardew Valley and Cities Skylines personally but also used to play zoo and rollercoaster Tycoon games), read, watch TV, did some gardening in the summer.

I like to cross stitch but honestly haven't had the energy, would love to pick this up again at some point.

That's a long way of saying that you need to find something you enjoy doing that isn't shopping!

I absolutely loved naptime when mine were babies - I saw it as a chance to do something for myself and tank some energy for the afternoon. I'm very introverted so for me that was reading, cooking, watching a TV show, listening to a podcast, yoga etc., but maybe if you're more extroverted and need more outside stimulation you could call a friend for a chat or organise to go for a walk with someone while they nap in the buggy?

Honestly just realise that by buying random stuff you are just making your life poorer.

I hate the fact I have hundreds of DVDs that are completely pointless now but I wasted so much money on

I think I would do it as set aside x amount for a real treat- new pair of boots for winter, a spa treat, and then when you want to buy random stuff take money out of that pot. Will it stop you buying..