It can definitely be expensive alright, I remember when I started first (I started last year, lost a stone and then gave up, do'h!), it was expensive buying all the store cupboard ingredients, all the spices, passata etc. etc. but once you have them, most of them last quite a while. Keeping the fresh fruit stocks can add up too but I tend to buy in Lidl and Aldi, their fruit is great and generally inexpensive. I'm going SW myself from home so at least I don't have to worry about that cost added on. Making up batches is a good idea, I tend to do that with bolognese, I buy about 2lb of round steak mince and probably get about six or seven dinners for myself out of it (none of the others in my family eat it!). I try to keep my meals the same as my family for the most part, I know some of the recipies are gorgeous but my gang are a potato and meat crowd so I can still eat the stews, chops, roast beef, chicken etc., as long as I do it right! Before I started back on this, I ate out nearly every day for lunch so I'm saving that much anyway, I bring in soup or salad now for lunch and just meet my friend for a coffee after that instead.