tzippi, arent colored peppers $3.99 at most grocery stores? I dont buy peppers very often, but the green ones are harsher in flavor so when I do I get colored ones at Cotsco. I usually splurge on peppers for special dinners or special company!
There are very few staples in our house – I dont bake that much (except for challah) and we are very flexible with what we eat. There is virtually nothing we cant live without if the price gets too high.