Trade your services for something else, such as trading child care services with another couple. It's a good way to keep cash in your pocket. You'll avoid aimless shopping and impulse purchases. Be sure you correct them. This is the easiest way to avoid impulse purchases.
Pasta costs less than a dollar per pound.
Borrow a pasta cookbook from the library and find out how many different ways you can enjoy pasta. The only way others can help you is if they know you need help. MANY people have been in your shoes, let them share their success stories. Create a budget and study all the numbers. It may not be as bleak as you thought.