It seems like couples are putting off marriage a little longer than ever before, so living together seems to be the new engaged.
So here are some things to consider before making that move:
- Finances ~ That's at the top of my checklist. Who's paying what bills? What are the due dates? What financial obligations are coming in to the household? More importantly, does your significant other have a job? What is their financial history? And, knowing their credit score can be helpful.
- Intimacy ~ Oh no boo, just because we live together doesn't mean you can roll over anytime you want. Discuss your intimacy clock. Is he a morning person and you're not? Do you want to be intimate more then he does? Set some boundaries.
- Family ~ This includes, your kids, his kids, and the kids you have together. What is that going to look like in terms of schedules, discipline and chores. Then there is the extended family: brothers, sisters, parents, cousins and the like. How are you going to handle the drop by and the "can I stay here for awhile?"
- Personal Space and Privacy ~ Are you in the bathroom handling your business with the door wide open? Or are you the type that doesn't even want anyone to know what your doing behind that closes door? And sometimes we just need some alone time. Does the fact that he has passwords on all his gadgets bother you? Or "I was saving that last scoop of ice cream just for me!" Communication is key to letting each other know what is acceptable and what is off limits.
This is just a small checklist of things to consider. Develop your own, have your boo develop one as well and then sit down together and compare notes. Look for commonalities before focusing on your differences, and then try to find a happy medium.
