Things we can't live without

A lot of thought these days has gone into reducing out grocery store, etc. budget--after the recent credit card statement showed way. . .too. . .much spent nearly every 7 days or so at HEB.  In my mind, I thought that my market trips were averaging about every 2 weeks or so, but the bill does not lie.

I've tried to cut coupons, but usually I only find coupons for the stuff that I don't need but then end up buying anyway...or I just forget the coupons at home over and over again until they expire. 

My organization in this venture is VERY lacking. 

I've also tried better meal planning to prevent those extra impulsive trips to the store.  But, inevitably, I realize that we're low on eggs or milk right after I get home and have to go back in a couple of days--when I usually spend just as much money as I did just a few days prior.  How is that possible?!!

Richard is not completely innocent in this either.  His trips (on the sly mind you) consist of expensive coffee, chocolate desserts, and imported beer.  I'm sure the cashiers are laughing to themselves when they see him coming.

There are, however, a few items that, regardless of when the last trip was, we have to replenish our stock if out:

1.  Ketsup--Connor wouldn't eat half of his food if he couldn't dip it in ketsup.

2.  Milk--Connor and Richard alone drink about 3 gallons of milk a week!

3.  Chicken nuggets--I always said that I wouldn't be that mother who fed her kids stuff like this, but here I

     am...it's one of the only 'meat' type foods that Connor will eat.

4.  Cheese--sliced cheese, those cute little block-cut cheese pieces, and the already shredded cheeses are a

     staple

5.  Formula--alas, no, I'm not breastfeeding Aidan.  I can't wait 'til Aidan switches to regular milk-- 

     taking this item off the list will cut down our bill dramatically!

I'm sure that next week, I could make an entirely new "must-have" list.

I either need to make a firm committment to shave off those unnessessary purchases--like that bag of York Peppermint Patties...mmmm, my favorite  (it was only a small bag!)

Or...

I need to look into alternative food sources..