Image Credit: MyMove.com
By Dawn Allcot, Guest Blogger
More than 12 million unmarried people in the US have moved in with a significant other, sometimes as a predecessor to marriage—but sometimes not. Either way, combining households presents challenges…on top of all the regular challenges of moving! Follow these tips to make the moving and cohabiting process go more smoothly.
Money Matters When You Move In Together
Couples who talk about money have fewer conflicts, overall. Open discussions about money may prevent messy situations should you decide to break up or end the living arrangement. Here are a few money tips to get you started before you move.
1. Be honest about your finances, including income, expenses, debt and your credit score. If you’re buying a home or leasing an apartment together, this is mandatory. But it can also affect day-to-day living if one partner isn’t honest about their salary and then cannot afford their share of the expenses.
2. Decide how you will split expenses. There are many ways to manage money when you’re moving in with a significant other. 50/50 split, much like roommates? Joint bank account for household expenses? Or something else? If a break-up occurs, what happens to items purchased while you were together? Married couples have legal rights, but when you move in with a significant other, you both get to lay down the law.
2. Know your rights. In some cases, domestic partners are entitled to health insurance. Does your partner have a living will—and do you have the legal right to enforce it? Do you have power-of-attorney if something happens to your partner? It’s important to consider these things before moving in, especially if the relationship is serious.
Yours, Mine, Ours?
Three more tips for moving in with a significant other:
1. Discuss chores. Couples in one study reported that they fought more frequently about taking out the garbage than about money. You may not go as far as creating a chore chart as roommates might, but definitely discuss who will do what around the house.
2. Discuss how to divide personal space. Whether you’re moving in to a new apartment or home, or if one of you is moving in to the significant other’s existing space, decide how that space will be shared. Is it okay if his 800-watt stereo system makes its home in the formal living room? Will there be a man cave? Where will the crafting supplies go? Even in small apartments, you’ll want a space to call your own.
3. Decorate so the space reflects both of you. Having a discussion about the décor—and redecorating, if necessary—can prevent one partner from feeling as if they are a visitor in their own home.
This philosophy of remembering that the space belongs to both of you is the most important key to successfully moving in with a significant other.
This article was provided by MyMove.com, an online resource where you can find the information, products and moving coupons you need to streamline and save during a move.
This post was provided by the Austin Real Estate experts at Realty Austin.
Whether you rent an apartment, home, or condo, renter’s insurance is essential to protecting yourself and your belongings. Though there is uniformity across most insurance policy pricing, you can still find several ways to save money. Here are some easy tips for saving on your renter’s insurance.
The first step is to visit an insurance comparison website. This way, you will know which companies offer the cheapest insurance. There are numerous insurance comparison websites where you can get and compare insurance rates from well-known companies.
Another way to save on your insurance is to buy your renters and auto insurance from the same company. This can save you up to 15% on your yearly premium. Most of these companies offer discounts if you subscribe to their insurance packages.
A third way to save is to pay for insurance a full year in advance. You can usually save about $20 if you pay for your insurance once a year instead of monthly. This also applies to other types of insurance.
If you are a senior citizen, then there’s additional discount benefit in your renter’s insurance. Most companies offer a minimum 10% discount for seniors. Many companies also offer a discount for non-smokers. Smoking is the most common cause of residential fire-related deaths. Quitting smoking will benefit both your insurance premiums and your health.
Your renter’s insurance policy will give you peace of mind in knowing that home is protected. Take the time to estimate the value of everything you own and make sure you are covered for at least that amount. It is essential that you do your homework and research your options before making a decision. Finally, make sure that you review your policy every year. Any significant changes to the value of your home or possessions should be reported to your insurance provider.
Keep in mind that you can save money by simply having insurance. We cannot avoid accidents all the time, but at least we can be covered in the case of an emergency.
