The etiquette surrounding your ex’s steaming password

The combined monthly costs of streaming services can add up quickly, especially if you have FOMO and subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Peacock, and HBO Go. Considering everyone is getting more expensive, if we come across a free password and login, why shouldn’t we keep it? Even if it belongs to an ex? It’s like free money.

Netflix caused a stir when it decided that only people in the same house could use the password for free. Their policies state that the account holder must purchase an additional membership space and then invite an additional member to use the additional membership space. Now, spending $7 to $11 and not having to send $2.35 a month to Venmo might be good for some, but multiple services add up.

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According to a survey by Exstreamist, 13 percent of people still use an ex’s Netflix password. People like Jeanna Satariano, who uses her current boyfriend’s passwords but kindly shares her Netflix account with her ex. She tells Moneyish: “Since our relationship is in good shape (and) we are cordial with each other, it doesn’t trigger any hard feelings.”

Experts tell Moneyish that sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to share credentials with an ex. But there are also situations in which it is okay. Here are some quick and dirty rules to assess your situation.

Lose the password if:

You had a bad breakup. As etiquette expert Thomas P. Farley puts it to Moneyish, “It’s the unmarried Millennial equivalent of someone taking away a spouse’s credit card because they’re separated.”

You want your ex to stop harassing you. Etiquette expert Elaine Swann urged Moneyish to “do the work first – that is, change all the passwords… delete the person from the system and then follow up and let them know.” And of course, be considerate in manner and way you tell them.”

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Use the password if:

If things are amicable. Farley said, “If you’re a young, millennial urbanite who’s on a very tight budget, you’re most likely sharing a lot of these subscriptions not only for convenience but also for budget-saving reasons.”

If you received the streaming subscription as a gift. However, if you wish to continue the service after your subscription expires, it is your responsibility to pay the bill. “Whatever the original term was when the gift was presented is up to you,” Farley said. “But I wouldn’t hesitate to call the company and ask, ‘When does this term end?’ OK, here I want to give you my credit card for auto-renewal.’”