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Moving in with a partner can be an important milestone in a relationship. However, if you want to live a happy home life with your partner, it’s worth doing a little preparation and planning. Not doing this enough can lead to disagreements and strife.
But what kinds of things are worth discussing prior to the move?
Financial planning and transparency
If you’re not upfront about how you’re going to handle money, you may end up resenting your partner — or putting them through it. Make sure you understand how the bills are split. For some couples, this means an even split; For others it won’t. What matters is that you reach an agreement.
For shared costs you can set up a joint account. This gives you the freedom to spend or save with your own money. According to a recent studyaround a quarter of Brits in long-term relationships hide their savings from their partners. This is not a recipe for a healthy long-term relationship.
Legal considerations and joining agreements
If you live together, you will not enjoy the same automatic rights as married couples. This can expose you to the risk of having your property taken away from you in the event of a division. It is often worth coming to a formal cohabitation agreement, which will resolve any ambiguity and let both parties know exactly where they stand.
Pooling all your expenses together can collectively pay for things. This can often save money for both parties. For example, you can protect your vehicles with multicar insurance.
Balancing careers and domestic responsibilities
Since you’re living together, you have a new set of domestic duties to attend to. It’s worth finding out how this workload will be allocated. If one partner earns much more than the other, it may be wise for that person to work long hours while their partner takes care of the dishes, laundry, and vacuuming. On the other hand, this assumption may not always be justified. It’s worth discussing what your career goals are and how you can support each other while maintaining a sensible work-life balance.
Nurturing the relationship
After you start dating, you may be surprised at how your relationship changes. Make sure you can communicate openly with each other. A fixed schedule, and Setting aside time for things like “date night” can be helpful. During this period you are likely to encounter problems. In a healthy long-term relationship, you can openly address any issues you have and see if you can find a solution that meets the needs of both parties.