Couple asks woman for help paying for their groceries at Dollar Tree. Then she notices the item they tried to sneak in at checkout

Grocery prices continue to rise, and those with financial struggles have turned to asking strangers for help to put food on their tables. One woman, however, claimed a couple took advantage of her kindness by sneaking in gift cards when she was about to pay for their items at Dollar Tree.

The incident was shared by Kellie (@kelliekelshow) in a TikTok video that has garnered over three million views. Kellie explained that she went to Dollar Tree to buy items to feed the homeless. As she was about to pay, she claimed a couple approached her and asked if she could cover the cost of candy for their daughter’s Halloween party.

“I wanted to say no, but at the same time, I’m already about to feed some kids today. So what’s one more kid?” Kellie said. She added that she’s aware of how difficult it could be to muster up enough courage to ask for help, and she didn’t want to be the reason they had to continue asking several more people afterward.

Dollar Tree couple call woman broke

Kellie said the couple picked up six packs of Reese’s Cups, and while their items were being rung up together, she allegedly discovered a $25 Xbox gift card and a Starbucks card that had been secretly added to the pile. While Kellie joked that she would have excused the Starbucks card, the gift card for the boyfriend’s games was a step too far.

“I ain’t buying no [N-word] no Xbox card,” Kellie said. “Cause, b****. You don’t need to be playing no games. You need to be looking for a job.”

When Kellie confronted the couple, they allegedly insisted she could just pay for the Reese’s Cups. However, by then, Kellie’s goodwill had already disappeared due to their dishonesty. “You know ya’ll shouldn’t do that because there be people […] tryna help you all. You could just be honest,” she told the couple. “I was so f****** disappointed.”

The incident, however, escalated from there. According to Kellie, the couple began a verbal attack when she was walking away, which led to the three getting into a heated argument that was captured on video.

“You can leave,” the woman told Kellie, who responded, “No, you can leave. You ain’t got no money to pay for your s***. I can pay for everything in this store.” But then, to Kellie’s surprise, the woman began repeatedly calling her the “broke” one for not being able to cover $6 for the Reese’s Cups.

Costs are rising while incomes remain unchanged

The couple also insisted they could pay for their own items, which Kellie encouraged them to do. The woman, however, seemed to taunt Kellie, admitting she had lied about having children as she continued her tirade.

Viewers were left in disbelief at how the situation escalated, particularly when the couple began accusing Kellie of not being able to pay for their items at Dollar Tree. “Waiiittttt they’re mad because of YOUR MONEY?!!!” one commenter wrote. One commenter shared that experiences like this have discouraged them from helping others: “That’s why I stopped helping people now smh.”

Others, however, were amused by how the couple attempted to pay for their own items in the midst of the argument. Viewers pointed out that, even as they insisted they could pay, their payment got declined. “’Record me payin for this’ Cashier-’it declined,’” one comment read. Another added, “Him: you see the groceries? Cashier: it’s not paid for yet.”

Meanwhile, grocery prices have been steadily rising, reportedly increasing by 33% since 2019, according to the Associated Press. Prices are expected to climb further this year, with an anticipated nationwide increase of 2.7% due to the country’s ongoing war with Iran, which has not only increased energy costs but also driven consumer prices to their highest in over three years.

At the same time, CBS News reported that more Americans have taken to exhausting their savings or borrowing money just to put food on their table. Millions are feeling the financial strain of the continuously rising cost of living and are struggling to make minimum credit card payments, which are often used to cover grocery expenses. Incomes also fail to keep pace with the current state of the economy, remaining stagnant while costs increase.

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