DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 33 years. We have no savings. We live paycheck to paycheck. My husband continues to get more and more debt and our credit cards are running out. It’s still working. I am retired. He’s got a 28-foot enclosed trailer full of mechanical items, hobbies, collectibles and who knows what else, and a double garage filled with more stuff than you can fit into. There are $10,000 to $15,000 worth of items. He refuses to sell anything, even though he hasn’t even been to an RV in over a year. We have terrible fights about this issue. I’m losing sleep about our future. Do you have any ideas? — GOING DOWN HILL IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR DOWNHILL: From what you describe, your husband is a hoarder. Some people do this because of anxiety or depression. Your husband needs to get to the root of why he’s obsessively spending money on things he doesn’t use. If he wishes, his doctor can refer him for counseling and possibly medication, which may be helpful. However, if he is reluctant, you may need to separate your finances from his before he puts more burden on you both.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact dear Abby at: www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.