Comments on: Super Savings Saturday: Kroger and Walgreens (and we’re temporarily raising our grocery budget again)

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:11:55 +0000

Really great site. It is a full time job, isn’t it? When all of my kids were still at home, I would go to several stores each week looking for the best bargains. I bet nobody has told you to “enjoy it”. You will miss these crazy days when you are an empty nester. So “enjoy it”. Take care of yourself and get as much rest as possible. Many Blessings to you and your family.

By: cheapsk8mom

cheapsk8mom — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:50:34 +0000

Thank you for your continued updates. This post in particular I appreciate… At times I’ve asked myself when meal planning – what would MSM do? And to an extent – was disappointed that I don’t have budgets like yours. I appreciate you, and love how empowered you are.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:29:09 +0000

I really enjoy this blog a lot. I’ve considered myself frugal for years, but only started “really” couponing last spring. It’s taken a bit for my family to understand why I seem to be stockpiling so much, but now that they’ve seen the total amount I’m spending plummet they are starting to get it. I’m married and have two teenage boys and I make sure to discuss my shopping strategies at dinner so the kids can learn. Got a big kick out of my older son telling me how his friends went into 7-11 and got a 24 oz soda for a buck and some change, then he went in to the same store and got a 2-liter bottle for about 10 cents more. At least I know he’s been paying attention. Hopefully, it will help him out later in life.

By: Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)

Susan (A Happy Heart at Home) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:26:06 +0000

Your daughter is absolutely adorable!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:13:23 +0000

I hope you are feeling well, and wish you a happy, healthy pregnancy. People should set budgets that work for their circumstances, and kudos to you for all the helpful advice you’ve posted in this forum. Cheers!

By: Janine

Janine — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:58:02 +0000

As a healthcare professional, I wanted to let you know that low hemoglobin plus low platelet count in pregnancy is NOT simple anemia. You could take all the iron in the world and it would not help. You most likely have a type of auto-immune disease that is causing your body to prodcue antibodies to the fetus- that it recognizes as a foreign body. You should be tested for these antibodies or a clotting disorder. Most likely you are producing tiny blood clots in your placenta. This is putting the fetus at risk. You should be on baby aspirin or heparin injections or both. Best regards, JMD

*********************
Money Saving Mom here: That’s interesting that you would say that as that’s exactly what the doctors said last time around. However, the oddest thing was that after running batteries of test (and I do mean “batteries of tests”–I think they tested me for everyone under the sun and then some!), all the tests turned up that I didn’t have an auto-immune disorder or clotting disorder. And the doctors were beyond stumped and it still remains a mystery.

I am really curious to see how this time goes. I’m getting lots of extra blood tests done just to really monitor things this time and am hopeful that maybe I’ll fare better but that remains to be seen.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:19:40 +0000

I’m sure you already know this, but I’ll mention it because I just learned it in my nutrition class and others may not know it: make sure you are not consuming milk or any other dairy products or tea or coffee with your iron sources. The calcium and phosphorus in milk and the tannins in tea or coffee strongly inhibit iron absorption.
Good luck with the pregnancy!

By: Martha Artyomenko

Martha Artyomenko — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:52:41 +0000

Great post, Crystal! It is important to do thing according to what is best for our family at the time!

Your body must need a certain type of iron….or you may not absorb it properly which causes the anemia. I have an iron issue with having signs of anemia with a very high iron count and cannot take iron in any pill, but I do okay with iron from cast iron (cook your tomatoes and stuff in it). they used to recommend if you were anemic (in old pregnancy books) to add a iron horseshoe to your chili. Anyhow, i hope this time the meat and iron work for you and you have a healthy pregnancy.

By: Clean Simple

Clean Simple — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:21:27 +0000

Glad to hear you’re taking prophylactic action against the anemia. I hope it all goes well.

By: Christi D.

Christi D. — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:29:03 +0000

Crystal- Your budget is still under mine!! I hope that the red meat will help you start to feel better. It’s only for a season. I’m so glad you are taking care of yourself. You are a busy lady!!

By: Brooke

Brooke — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:00:24 +0000

Hi Crystal, a friend of mine is pregnant and anemic and her doc told her to load up on cream of wheat, she said it has more iron than beef! Don’t know if its true but its worth a look, its probably a lot cheaper too! I hope everything goes smoothly this time. I love your blog, you are such an inspiration.

By: SarahsMom

SarahsMom — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:31:31 +0000

Crystal I accidently messed up and linked to the wrong site. I expect you to remove entry #116. Sorry about that.

By: Saving Money for a Wedding

Saving Money for a Wedding — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:57:12 +0000

There is a great new Publix advantage buy savings flyer out. Everyone needs to check out the great deals. I am new to blogging- but love letting people know where the best deals are.

You have a wonderful website and Happy Holidays!!

By: SarahMay

SarahMay — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:30:07 +0000

Glad you’re doing what it takes to keep your baby healthy! Thanks for the excellent reminder about the dollar amount of one’s grocery budget. I was feeling guilty because we recently raised our budget from $75 to $100/week, but that extra $25 made the difference between struggling every week or actually feeling like I can actually DO it!

Is HELLP syndrome a factor at all in your pregnancy anemia issues? I assume it’s been ruled out since you had so many tests and lots of doctor’s input; but it’s something that’s often missed so I figured it was worth bringing up!

Finally–and again, you’ve probably already tried everything!–blackstrap molasses IS a good source of iron, as mentioned above, but iron is much more effective when taken with vitamin C. Its effect is negated when taken with dairy. I have friends with postpartum anemia issues who will drink a spoonful of blackstrap molasses mixed into a glass of orange juice (they were mixing it into milk until they discovered how ineffective that is!) every day.

By: Ginger Barber

Ginger Barber — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:49:04 +0000

We have a walgreens opening not a 2 minute walk from here! I can not wait, though there is one 5 minutes away by car.