Five things to consider when moving in with a partner

Moving in with your partner is a big step at any age. It means seeing them every day, through their good and bad times in equal measure. It’s an experience that can bring a new level of closeness to the relationship and strengthen it for the better – if planned well. Before you pick up your new keys, here are a few extra things to consider.

Consolidate your belongings

How many pairs of shoes do you own? More than 10? More than 20? They may all fit in your wardrobe for now, but as soon as there are two shoe collections to organise you may be in trouble. Moving in with your partner means you’ll now be the proud owners of two of everything, two toasters, two blenders, two sofas and two TVs.

Unless you live in a stately home with several sitting rooms, you’ll need to downsize your belongings. Attics make a great storage space or send your goods to one of the charity shops in your area. This is also a good time to sort through your wardrobe and get rid of any clothes you haven’t worn in the last 12 months.

Take steps to save money

Moving in with your partner will not only deepen your relationship – it’s also a fantastic way to save money. All of a sudden there’s only one mortgage to pay off, or one rent to pay. You’ll have that much more money to save towards a nice holiday or any much-needed household items.

If you’re looking to save money on your bills while you’re at it, try using a smart meter. They come with an in-home display screen that shows you exactly how much energy you’re using down to pounds and pence. Costs are tracked in near-real time too, so you can spot when you’re using more energy than you need.

Splitting daily expenses

Now that you’ve sorted bills and rent, it’s time to decide who buys what in your day-to-day life. Are you going to go food shopping together and split the bill? Or will one person shop one week and the other the next? You’ll also have to decide whose bank account the Netflix and TV licence bill comes out of, as well as who’s going to pay the council tax each month. If it all seems a tad overwhelming, here’s a little check list to make things simpler.

Talk through your schedules

If you’re a creature of habit – 7am alarm goes off, 7:20 you jump in the shower – it’s important to talk through your schedules before you move in. Who’s going to take a shower first? Who makes the coffee in the morning? What time do you usually go to bed? It may seem like a small thing, but when you’re rushing around in the morning trying to get everything done on time those little details will be very important.

Having visitors

Moving in means taking into account your partner’s friends and family, so be prepared to accept that they may be around quite a bit. Do you have an ongoing games night every Wednesday? Does your family always come over for Sunday lunch? Make sure you and your partner know all the weekly commitments, so you’re both prepared when friends and family come round.

It’s a big step, but when done right, moving in will be a breeze.

The editorial unit