Family size is doubling. HELP!

[amzasmommy]

I hope there's enough people here who can help. I didn't see a better place to post this.

SO and I are moving in together this weekend. My grocery budget and meal planning will go from me and a 3 yo to pregnant me, so, a 3 yo, and 2 teen boys! I know that our bills will at least double since the family size is going to be so big. I've also prepared myself for the lack of leftovers and then needing to cook every night.

I need tips though! How do I keep the bills managable? What are good, inexpensive snacks to keep on hand? What are good filling meals? Any other tips?

[lmcconne]

In general, batch cooking is good. For this, a nice size freezer is good. I, personally, will cook up big crockpot batches of spaghetti meat sauce and chili and then freeze in meal-size portions. I will also put in an extra whole chicken in the roasting pan, so planned leftovers.