You’ve been dating for a while, and you’re ready to take things to the next level: You’re moving in together! Maybe you got engaged and that’s why you’re moving in together, or maybe you are going to live together for awhile before you decide to take any more steps together. Either way, you are making a big move in your relationship, and it’s an exciting time.
But moving in together also means that you will be spending a lot more time together, you will learn more about each other, and you will have to learn new ways of interacting together. There’s nothing like spending all your time dealing with stressful situations together to see what your relationship is made of. Here are a few things you can do to make the transition easier and help keep your relationship safe:
Hire Movers
Have you ever tried moving your own stuff? You get hot, sweaty, tired, and cranky fast. Add other people into the mix and you’ll soon be sniping at each other, if not silently resenting each other for not doing more or for some other perceived slight. Forget about it if someone actually breaks something! Trying to move your own stuff with your partner is a recipe for disaster, even if you have a solid relationship.
Just hire movers to make this part easy. A reputable business like Allied moving company will have experienced movers who can do the job quickly and safely. You can sit back and rest with your partner, knowing that your belongings are being handled safely. Instead, use the day to spend some quality time together.
Use the right tools to make packing your things easy, as well. Preparation for moving can be just as stressful as the moving itself — sometimes more so! Make it easier on yourself by using the right materials and tools.
Set a Budget
Some of the biggest arguments that couples have are about finances. You can start your life out together on the right footing if you set a clear budget and pledge to stick to it.
Creating a budget requires that you be totally honest with each other about your debts, as well as your spending habits. This might be hard if you aren’t tracking your expenses. You may not realize that you’re spending $50 a month on Starbucks! So if you aren’t tracking your expenses, spend a month doing so before you move in together. Then you’ll have a good baseline to understand where you are and what adjustments you need to make.
Your budget should include all your projected expenses, as well as all income that you will be sharing. You may decide to keep some of your income separate for personal expenses like lunches out with friends or impulse buys at the mall. Some couples decide to put all their money together and then set ground rules for that kind of extraneous spending. Just find a system that works for you and stick to it.
Give Each Other Space
You’ve been used to living on your own and having your own space, and now you are living together and sharing everything. You can both start to feel cramped fast. You might feel like you never have the chance to watch the game in peace while you eat nachos and veg on the couch all day. Or you might want to have quiet time while you work on your novel, but your partner keeps interrupting you to ask about peanut butter or trash bags.
Give each other space to have time alone – both figuratively and literally. Make sure you both get uninterrupted time and that you both have a physical space you feel is your own. You don’t have to have a whole room to yourself, but there should be plenty of places in your home or apartment that feel welcoming to you.
Moving in together can be challenging at first, but preparing for the transition can make it easier. Above all, you need to leave the lines of communication open so that you can share your needs, set good boundaries, and resolve conflict before it escalates. You’ll make your relationship stronger in the process, and you’ll ensure that you have a happy life together.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
