Woman Offers to Buy Dollar Tree Groceries for Struggling Sister. She Gets a Shocking Reply

Mar. 15, 2025

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A woman is seeking advice from the Reddit community after offering to buy groceries from Dollar Tree for her sister, who is struggling financially — but rejected the offer.

The situation began when the 34-year-old woman’s 43-year-old sister had asked to borrow $40 for groceries, but the younger sister was unable to hand over any cash until the following week, as she had her own expenses to take care of.

“I told her I’m really strapped for cash right now myself as I just had to pay rent, bills, and take my dog to the emergency vet which in itself cost $487. I don’t get paid again until next week,” she explainsin the post.

Stock photo of Dollar Tree.Brandon Bell/Getty

A Dollar Tree convenient store is seen on August 24, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

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The older sister remained adamant in her refusal, citing concerns about the quality of meat available given her dietary preferences. “Her main meal she eats daily is meatloaf which I really can’t afford to get ground beef as it’s so expensive around here right now,” the poster shares.

Stock photo of a basket full of groceries.Getty

Shopping cart in the middle on an aisle at the supermarket

The younger sister’s reluctance to lend cash, she adds, stems from her past experiences with giving her older sister money in tougher times and finding out she didn’t spend it on necessities. “I’ve learned the hard way to never give her cash,” she explains. While she wants to be supportive and give her money, the woman isn’t 100% sure her older sister would use it solely on food.

In an update, the sisters’ father, despite being estranged from the older sister, decided to intervene and send her the $40 for the groceries. The younger sister reports, “And she did show me proof that she spent it on groceries (yes, to make meatloaf and mashed taters). We decided family is family and it was just the right thing to do.”

source: people.com