A dear friend mooches off of online streaming
DEAR AMY >> I have been dear friends with “Constance” for decades.
We live in different states and see each other periodically — we are like sisters.
Constance has responsibility only for herself. I have a family, so therefore she has more disposable income than I do.
Constance prides herself on a frugal, “cashonly” lifestyle, and yet she dovetails off our streaming and shopping services.
I didn’t think I minded, but I sort of do. I think she should offer to pay half of the cost. (Note that she has many redeeming qualities, and this is not a dealbreaker.)
We made a lighthearted comment about how the prices for these services are increasing and how they now show ads because so many people are mooching off the accounts of others.
When she inquired about a streaming service we did not have, she let us know giddily that she “found” access via another friend.
I’ve wondered about others in this predicament (and I know there are others). I’d appreciate your take on this.
DEAR BFF >> Some time back, a person I know let a friend have access to one of her streaming accounts. Then that same friend applied the same password to gain access to another streaming account — without asking permission. (The person allowing access had foolishly reused her password for other accounts.)
OK — I’m the fool. All of that happened to me.
In response, I changed ALL of my passwords and the matter died right there. (The friendship died a few months later.)
Anyone you share access with could have access to your other data. It is a definite risk.
If you are willing to continue to do this, ask your friend to pay for half the cost — it’s still a bargain for her and her subsidy could be very helpful in your household.
If she is truly “like a sister” to you — well, this is how sisters should (but don’t always) work things out: Honestly, fairly, and without hard feelings.
If your pal doesn’t use any online or check payment options, she could pay you half of a fullyear’s subscription cost by giving you cash.
Alternatively, you could continue to share your account with her, but reframe the way you cast her: Not as a mooch or a leech, but as someone happy to accept your generosity, which you are happy to bestow.