Just a thought.
Maybe it is her way of saying I cant afford to reciprocate to 150 people with mishloach manos because I cant afford it. Perhaps, what is “wrong” is that the financial situation in the home has reached a point where the family (you didnt say specifically it is a family I admit) is groaning under financial strain and this is their way of saying we can not afford to send mishloach manos. Perhaps the Mr. in this family said the same to a bunch of his acquaintances too?