My husband (28M) and I (26M) have been together for 7 years, married for 4. We usually saw eye to eye. And because we were the only gay people in our area, we stuck together for years despite any arguments. And we have loved each other all throughout. We were even planning to adopt a dog later this year!
Things were fine until about 10 months ago, when he discovered those weird Labubus, that weird goblin-like toy from TikTok that you see everywhere nowadays. At first, it was harmless. He bought one mystery box. Then another. Then full cases. Our bookshelf? Replaced with Labubu displays. Our guest room? Now the “Labubu Room” (and every time he says the name, he says it like the “Pipis room” vine from 10 years ago).
It got weird. Like, genuinely unsettling. He started assigning them personalities, names, and even created a “Labubu sofa-side chair” so his favourite one could join us while watching the news on the TV.
I tried to be supportive, I really did. Everyone needs hobbies, right? Everyone has their niche. But he spent $1,500 in one month on rare editions. He joined Labubu trading Discords and was waking up at 3am for limited drops from China. One time he refused to help me when my car battery died and I had to get to work because he was waiting for a new “Big into energy” drop and it was, and I quote, “gonna be really clutch to get one”.
I sat him down, told him it was getting out of hand, and he said, with a straight face, that I was being unsupportive of his biggest hobby in ages. I asked him how much he was spending. The number that came out of his mouth was STAGGERING. This definitely ruins our plans to adopt that dog later this year. And when I told him that finances were tight, he said we would have to wait because these collectors items are gonna be worth thousands later and the profits we make will allow us to buy MULTIPLE DOGS if we want. That was the moment I realised I might not be dealing with just a quirky obsession anymore.
I told him I needed a break. He said I “wasn’t thinking economically” and started sleeping in the guest room. With his Labubus. He’s devastated and keeps telling our friends I’m “shallow” and “upset with him because of a toy.” Some of them agree and think I overreacted. I’m starting to wonder… AITA for not supporting his Labubu obsession?
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My husband (28M) and I (26M) have been together for 7 years, married for 4. We usually saw eye to eye. And because we were the only gay people in our area, we stuck together for years despite any arguments. And we have loved each other all throughout. We were even planning to adopt a dog later this year!
Things were fine until about 10 months ago, when he discovered those weird Labubus, that weird goblin-like toy from TikTok that you see everywhere nowadays. At first, it was harmless. He bought one mystery box. Then another. Then full cases. Our bookshelf? Replaced with Labubu displays. Our guest room? Now the “Labubu Room” (and every time he says the name, he says it like the “Pipis room” vine from 10 years ago).
It got weird. Like, genuinely unsettling. He started assigning them personalities, names, and even created a “Labubu sofa-side chair” so his favourite one could join us while watching the news on the TV.
I tried to be supportive, I really did. Everyone needs hobbies, right? Everyone has their niche. But he spent $1,500 in one month on rare editions. He joined Labubu trading Discords and was waking up at 3am for limited drops from China. One time he refused to help me when my car battery died and I had to get to work because he was waiting for a new “Big into energy” drop and it was, and I quote, “gonna be really clutch to get one”.
I sat him down, told him it was getting out of hand, and he said, with a straight face, that I was being unsupportive of his biggest hobby in ages. I asked him how much he was spending. The number that came out of his mouth was STAGGERING. This definitely ruins our plans to adopt that dog later this year. And when I told him that finances were tight, he said we would have to wait because these collectors items are gonna be worth thousands later and the profits we make will allow us to buy MULTIPLE DOGS if we want. That was the moment I realised I might not be dealing with just a quirky obsession anymore.
I told him I needed a break. He said I “wasn’t thinking economically” and started sleeping in the guest room. With his Labubus. He’s devastated and keeps telling our friends I’m “shallow” and “upset with him because of a toy.” Some of them agree and think I overreacted. I’m starting to wonder… AITA for not supporting his Labubu obsession?
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> I was really unsupportive of his hobby. This goes against the whole idea of a relationship where one person supports another.
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA. Sooo NTA. That’s a grown ass man spending fortunes on fucking toys.
The economic argument completely falls flat considering he’s exposing the toys, assigning them personalities and making them watch TV?? What. The. Fuck. If he was really in to sell them for profit, he would leave them in their boxes, never touch them, probably store them in a garage or something. Not play with them like a creepy adult.
Also, he ruined plans you made together with this. You are fully entitled not to be supportive of this.
Maybe those friends of yours should sleep in the “Labubu room” (for fuck’s sake), see how they feel. That sounds creepy as fuck.
NTA, spending that amount of money on any hobby is already something to be questioned – especially as you mentioned finances are tight – let alone ugly goblin toys.
NTA
Your husband ever hear of beanie babies?
NTA – I really hope you’re writing this as rage bait. This is absolutely insane. That’s not a hobby, it’s an obsession and it is strangely reminiscent of the Beanie Buddies craze from the 90’s. Those little guys were supposed to pay for my college!
If he’s willing, would he go to see a LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist) with you?
NTA. Seek the talk about common finances and especially about mutual goals in life. Hopefully you can make him change perspective and find a way to spend money in a wholesome way – whatever that might be.
NTA. There are several thousand Beanie Baby collectors he could confer with if he thinks these toys will actually be an “investment.” It’s fine to have a hobby, but he’s using your shared money and space to support it without your permission.
NTA, they think he’s right because he hasn’t told them everything.
NTA. Not only has this obsession gotten to the point that he prioritises it over you when you need help, but its also becoming an addiction causing a financial drain on your household.
I would ask him if you suddenly developed the same interst in gambling, spending the same amount of money and neglecting him, would he be supportive of you. Or would he worry?
Seperate any joint finances ASAP for your own protection and suggest he get some kind of addiction counselling.
Ask him to research the current pricing on the beanie babies that were going to make people rich…
NTA
nta, it’s a labubu….
he’s bringing them out to watch tv with you guys. seems like more than a “get rich quick” idea. and sleeping in the guest room after. he is incredibly childish for this. beyond it even. and I can only assume his friends are too.
hobbies are great everyone should have them! labubus are a craze- the way people want them. and kind of a joke. but not helping you with your car, the staggering number, the room dedication? his friends definitely don’t know the full story. they don’t live with you. I think it’s very strange, no steven.
NTA – ask him how valuable Beanie Babies are now, because Labubus are the newest beanie baby.
NTA- and don’t feed those things after midnight.
NTA. Sounds like he’s been caught up in the blind investor’s mindset. “The thing I’m buying is very valuable, so therefore, it’s going to make me a zillion dollars later!” But the vast majority of people are going to lose money on a trend like this, not make it. You have to be savvy and savage to make a profit in these situations. You have to have your finger on the pulse of the market, moving inventory quickly and efficiently. You can’t be left holding the bag when the craze dies. (And it WILL die, just like the Beanie Babies and the Tickle Me Elmos and the Stanley Cups of the past.) Your husband is just hoarding with stars in his eyes and zero realistic plan for the future.
Nta. Christ what a fuckin moron check if he hit his head or something
NTA. It’d be different if he wasn’t.. making them watch tv with you?? and giving them personalities??
my bf spends SO much on video games and gundams, but essentially playing with them like dolls isn’t what they’re for and i’d be very concerned if he started doing that.
Have you told the friends who think ur overreacting that THATS what he’s doing? Also about how much money he’s wasted? About the fact this man is quite literally addicted to buying them?
NTA. Collecting children’s toys isn’t a hobby, it’s called being a child.
NTA.
Nta – leave him and take half of his Labubus in the settlement
The next time he’s bleating to friends about how you’re being petty over a toy, drop that number. The $ number that shocked you, share that with those friends. Clearly he’s interested in being open about your relationship with others, just go ahead and open it all the way up.
NTA just collecting things like this isn’t a hobby. It’s just… Buying stuff. Collecting comic books is something you can read. Hobbies entail doing something. Spending money isn’t a hobby
that’s wild. Remember Furbies? I bet he doesn’t either. Further, these things lose any value they might have had once removed from the box and fed in front of the TV. These toys seem more important to your husband than your joint financial goals or your real life needs (getting to work, having a room with art you like.) I’d give him an ultimatum (stop buying these things and pack them away or find an AA equivalent or something for collectors or whatever you’re comfortable with) since you obviously aren’t comfortable in the relationship. Frankly, I wouldn’t be either.
He can party with all the people who are now rich from all the beanie babies they bought.
That did happen, right? I forgot to check
NTA, but this kind of obsession sounds pathological. I turn to shopping/random new obsessions when I’m stressed (obv not to this extend tho).
Did something happen in his life? Was he stressed/depressed?
NTA. Leave him before he completely ruins you financially.
NTA. and if your friends knew the truth and whatever sanitised version he told them, no one would question you
NTA. Separate your finances.
NTA
You can’t adopt a dog because your husband spent $1,500 on toys. Oooooh girl.
NTA. I think they’re cute. I have a figurine at work and just got an actual doll that I will squish when IT gets upsetting.
But this situation here you’re dealing with is a gambling/collection/”but it’ll be valuable” thing. Blind boxes are insanely addictive to certain people. 🙁 I wish that aspect wasn’t there. Maybe if your friends SAW they would help you intervene. He needs counseling and you might too to forgive him for this
Watch The Beanie Bubble.
NTA – separate your finances immediately!
NTA: Look, I collect figures as a hobby. I think they are lovely pieces of art that reflect my favorite series. I love figure events and chatting with fellow collectors. I have met some amazing friends through these hobbies that moved past just the collectible.
I get joy when I add a new piece to my collection and figuring out where they go. I’ve also collected Disney stuffed animals in the past and many other things.
So, I’m no stranger to ‘childish’ hobbies. I am, however, specific with the ones I add. I’m not spending money I don’t have, or using space I don’t have, or buying every pretty thing I see.
The difference is, he no longer sees these figures as a thing to spark joy, he sees them as an investment.
Once you see any hobby as POTENTIAL monetary gain, I don’t think it’s a hobby anymore. It turns into an addiction or job. The fun is no longer there.
It’s kind of the first rule of getting into a collectible hobby – don’t see it as an investment. You’ll probably be disappointed.
Plus, I’m sure there will be extremely picky people if he ever tries to sell. Just like how with Beanie Babies, there was more money when the tags were on. Funko pops get more money when they are new in box. Pokemon Cards must be evaluated and certified in protectors. I could go on and on.
Right now Labubu’s; like Beanie Babies, Funko Pops, Barbie, Monster High, so many other collectibles, are the fad of the year right now.
And that’s ok! It’s fun to get into new things! But he’s not being realistic about it.
Sure, some might get you some money back, but most of them are either going to collect dust, be thrown out, donated, hidden, or sold for less than expecting.
I don’t know how you break him out of this unless he sees it for himself, or you print out bank account statements, since it’s crossed into an obsession. Heart to hearts? Point him to some collectible subreddits? Show him a Beanie Baby documentary and/or that one picture of the couple in the court room separating their Beanie Babies?
Is he going through something and it’s just manifesting in this? Is he bored with life? Needs an escape? Does he have an addiction mindset; like does he tend to go all in with things? It might not just be the Labubu.