Tips For Cohabiting With Your Significant Other

Moving in with a significant other is a huge milestone for any couple, and may spark some unwanted stress and anxiety. Tough discussions will need to be had, and adjusting to time spent together more often than not will need to find a healthy balance. This should be an exciting moment with your partner, and knowing the right steps to ensure it goes smoothly can make all the difference. That is why we have compiled some helpful tips to ease you into cohabiting so you can enjoy this wonderful new chapter together.

Finances

Having a discussion about finances can be a difficult topic to approach, but it’s important to be upfront and honest. With rent or mortgage payments as a possibility, you will need to find a way to fairly split the cost, as well as establish a budget when looking for a new space. Understand each other's spending habits, and current financial health, as well as income, so spending can take higher or lower salaries into consideration. Especially if you plan on combining your finances and living on a shared income. You can then determine a budget that accommodates rent, weekly groceries and essentials, and other costs, so money never becomes stressful or put a strain on your relationship.

Combining Belongings

Moving in together can be a good time to sort through your belongings and donate, sell, or let go of anything you no longer need or want. Combining two households means having two of everything, so decide on which items should stay and move to your new space, and which items can go. Be sure to take your partner's feelings into consideration when it comes time to sort through the more sentimental items, and find a way to make space for the more important things. When everything is sorted, go to your local Goodwill to donate your gently used items, or have a sale to earn a little extra money to be put towards new appliances or furniture for your new shared space. Sorting through and organizing can be tedious, but make this part of the moving process fun and a way to get to know each other just a little more.

Designing Your Space