In addition to fitting each of your possessions under one roof, couples also have to reconcile their beliefs about both spending and saving. Often, couples do not fully understand each other’s attitudes toward the logistical aspects of life until they officially live together. In light of this challenge, below is additional insight on how to move in together successfully.

The sooner you start discussing the realities of moving in together, the better. Sure, daydreaming about romantic breakfasts in bed sounds nice. But once you begin to figure out whose pots and pans you’ll be using, the conversation could begin to get interesting...and enlightening.

- List each of your belongings, room by room: Individually list all your possessions and categorize them by the rooms in which they would reside if you were living on your own. Compare your lists and discuss which items you both want to bring into your new home. This exercise should lead to conversations about the style of your new home and your flexibility when it comes to combining your households. For instance, two king-size beds will probably not fit in a one-bedroom apartment.

- The good news is that creating these lists should also generate some extra income. As soon as you realize which items you don’t need, figure out how to maximize their value. Determine if you’ll get the best return from an online classified site, a vintage store, or as a tax-deductible donation. If you decide to sell the item online, take a high-quality digital photo, write a detailed description and post it as soon as possible. By posting it on a local online classifieds site such as Kijiji.com, you also eliminate any shipping or commission costs associated with selling the item.

- Draft a budget for the move: Carve out some time to sit down together and create a budget that maps out the costs of furnishing your new home. Discuss where you plan to purchase each item (whether it’s secondhand from an online classifieds site or new from the local mall) and how much you’d like to spend. Budgeting provides a great opportunity to discuss your attitudes toward spending. Are you a frugal online shopper or is it more important for you to buy the newest, trendiest model? Would you rather splurge on travel or home furnishings? In addition, budgeting opens the door for conversations about your incomes, your savings goals and how you’ll both budget for a life together once you’re all moved in.  

Moving involves a lot of time and money: searching for a place, packing and schlepping boxes, buying new furniture and redecorating. Before you begin, think creatively about how to divide both the chores and money involved.

When it comes to finances, you might choose to split the cost down the middle or you might divide it proportionally to your income levels. Alternatively, you might work out a deal where you trade time for money. If one partner works late nights while the other enjoys staying home in the evenings, the homebody might have more time to post and sell their partner’s unused items on Kijiji, with the earnings split between both parties.

Once you figure out the logistics, write it down and set a schedule to check in with each other about how you’re feeling throughout the process. By setting a schedule ahead of time, you’ll avoid nagging each other constantly or suffering in silence. Putting it in writing ensures that both partners are on the same page.

Finally, be sure to discuss whether this arrangement will continue after you’ve finished moving and you’re dealing with the everyday bills and chores of running a home. Those who aren’t married should consider creating a list of living expenses and determining how each expense will be shared.

Even if you’re engaged, married or have been committed to each other for many years, there are benefits to maintaining some financial independence. Financial planners recommend that each partner have at least one credit card in their name in order to establish personal credit. It’s also a good idea for each partner to have an individual savings account so that birthday purchases and the like can be made on the sly.

If you aren’t married, maintaining your financial independence is of the utmost importance. You don’t want a soured relationship to poison your living arrangement and financial health. There are a few things that everyone should keep in mind when it comes to living together:

Do not open a credit card under both of your names together
Do not keep a joint account flush with cash
Avoid making large joint purchases together

Of course, you’d never move in with someone who you thought was capable of racking up thousands of dollars on your credit card or driving off in your shared car. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t see our lovers’ true colors until we live with or break up with them.

Instead of pooling your assets to furnish your household, take responsibility for individual items and keep receipts. After a breakup, it’s sometimes easier to walk out with your favorite lamp then to suggest selling it and divvying up the returns. If you have to share the cost on a larger purchase, jot down how much each of you contributed and what you’ll do with the item if one of you moves out. It might seem unromantic or pessimistic, but you’ll be glad you did it if the time to split ever comes.

Moving is stressful and involves hard work, money, and changes. Couple this transition with conversations about financial goals, life dreams and decorating tastes, and the intensity of your relationship will likely increase. So don’t despair if you experience some rocky moments. Do your best to channel them into opportunities to learn more about one another and find new common ground.

If you manage to sail through the move without a tense moment, don’t trick yourself into believing you’re in the clear. Successful long-term relationships take discipline, financially and otherwise. When you consistently invest in the right mix of communication, compromise and compassion, the return is enormous.