The shopaholic neighbor strikes again.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (47096)
August 10, 2025 11:33pm CST
I have a neighbor who is super sweet...and has a shopping addiction. When she finds stuff on sale, it doesn't seem to matter whether or not she likes it, she buys it and brings it home anyway. She always has all of these ideas to make things, etc. out of her food bargains, and freeze them. But she rarely does that.
Sometimes, I am presented with what she just can't use after overbuying. Friday, it was bananas. I don't know about where you all live, but bananas are now wildly expensive here. When I do buy them, I only buy 2 or 3, as I do not really care for overripe bananas, I like them on the green side. But she marched over with a good sized bag of bananas, saying she bought them but now she thinks that baking banana bread is just too much work. So, guess who baked banana bread this evening...she insisted she didn't want any, that she was fine, but she got some anyway. I wrapped it up well so she could freeze some if she wanted, I made all the bananas into bread this time. She finally accepted 3 loaves and that leaves me with 3 small loaves and 2 large ones.
She says it makes her feel good to buy things on sale. Then when she gets home, she wonders why she bought what she did. She's lived here about 2 years now, and this is slowly evolving into a problem for her, I think. She is out of space...her closets and dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets and pantry are literally stuffed with extra clothing and food. I guess if the apocalypse hits, she's all set!
Come on over, and I'll share. Then I won't have to wrap this stuff up and freeze it! 
9 people like this
10 responses
@rsa101 (39769)
• Philippines
12h
Your neighbor may be sweet, but it sounds like her “sale fever” is becoming more than just a cute quirk—it’s turning into a habit she really needs to rein in. Her overflowing closets, cabinets, and pantry are clear signs that it’s getting out of hand. What starts as the thrill of a bargain can quickly lead to wasted money, clutter, and stress.
Instead of letting all those unused items pile up, she could start small with decluttering—sorting things into “keep,” “donate,” and “sell” piles. There are plenty of ways to make a bit of money back, like hosting a garage sale, selling online through Facebook Marketplace or eBay, or even taking clothes to a consignment shop. Not only would this free up her space, but it might also give her that same “feel-good” rush she gets from finding a bargain—this time from making room and earning back some cash.
Instead of letting all those unused items pile up, she could start small with decluttering—sorting things into “keep,” “donate,” and “sell” piles. There are plenty of ways to make a bit of money back, like hosting a garage sale, selling online through Facebook Marketplace or eBay, or even taking clothes to a consignment shop. Not only would this free up her space, but it might also give her that same “feel-good” rush she gets from finding a bargain—this time from making room and earning back some cash.1 person likes this
@rsa101 (39769)
• Philippines
11h
@MarieCoyle I guess she’s trying to cope with some painful things in her life right now. However, it’s not great for her to get stuck in that habit, as it could be wasteful unless she finds a way to make good use of what she buys—like using, donating, or selling them. That way, she could turn her bargain sale addiction into something productive, perhaps by reselling items for a small profit and making it more rewarding.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (39769)
• Philippines
10h
@MarieCoyle Yeah, that's true; it should be her decision to address it. I think she might need to consult a psychologist if she's really struggling with addiction, as you mentioned.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
10h
@rsa101
She could sell the clothing, but that usually amounts to very little of the original price. I don’t think she will sell anything though. Eventually she will have to donate some things, I hope that she does but of course it’s not up to me.
I do wish she had some family nearby that could possibly influence her to get some help.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (85787)
• United States
2h
It's apparent that your neighbor has a spending problem but it certainly was nice of you to share the banana bread with her. I hope she enjoys it and doesn't let it sit in the freezer forever.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
It didn't make it to her freezer. I saw her outside today and she said she ate 2 pieces of it already.
I feel like I need to share a few finished dishes to her when she shares with me and the other neighbors when she goes on her buying binges. And yes, she has a problem.
@celticeagle (178199)
• Boise, Idaho
4h
I think this women needs to seek some therapy. I would hate to be her family that has to clean up after she is gone. Think of all the places she could put that money to better use.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
What little family she has left doesn't seem to visit often. I realize she needs therapy. She even knows she does. But she still refuses it, and no one can force her.
@Juliaacv (54293)
• Canada
7h
It is too bad that she cannot aid someone in the community with her shopping addiction.
Maybe she should consider volunteering at a school breakfast program or a soup kitchen or a food bank, where she could donate some of the items that she overstocks on.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
I hooked her up to a food pantry and to a place that makes free meals for anyone who needs one, to donate her excess. She has been doing some of that. And yes, it appears that she has a huge shopping addiction.
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
I agree, it's just not right to waste food. She knows that, so she gives it away. She told me ''I get carried away at food bargains, and clothing sales!'' and OH, she certainly does.
@LooeyVille (72)
• United States
5h
That's a sign of a mental disorder. She needs therapy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
Yes, and she is aware she has a problem. She said that therapy has been strongly suggested to her, but she (of course) feels she can beat this on her own. Of course, she can't, and she shows no signs of doing so.
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
12h
Yes, it is. She is the one that bought all of that rice, and gave pounds and pounds of it away...and she still has 2 25# buckets she is saving for an ''emergency''....I talked her into donating one bucket to the food canteen that makes free meals for the homeless or anyone needy, so she did do that.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (8098)
• Philippines
11h
Hehehehehe... you have a good neighbor. Is she rich? I hope she is, because if not, she also needs to save.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
10h
I have no idea of the conditions of her finances. She does drive a new car and seems to buy what she wants to buy.
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
I recall a lady I used to know who has passed away, she had a huge clothing addiction. She bought clothes constantly. She filled up several storage units with new clothes, and her home was just stuffed. When she passed away, her family had to go through all of it--because she was known to stash money in pockets. They found a ton of cash.
Some people seem to have a serious problem with buying a lot of things they simply don't need and cannot ever use.
@LindaOHio (197436)
• United States
7h
That's a bad addiction to have. The money she could be saving is tremendous. That was nice of you to share the banana bread.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47096)
•
Just now
She is a kind lady. Meticulously clean and her yard is so perfect it could be in a magazine. She has a LOT of energy and is always on the go. If only she could curb this shopping addiction...it's taking over her life.
