Moving in together? Six tips for setting up your new home

If you’ve been shuffling between two addresses for months and have decided to bite the bullet and start living together, we’ve got some great tips to help smooth the transition while you set up your joint place of abode. 

Sharing with your significant other can be fun and cost effective, but it’s a big bridge to cross and once you’re on the other side, it’s not so easy to make your way back. You start making decisions together, pooling your finances, buying new stuff and maybe even getting a pet so you can share the love. Backing out from all of that is difficult and stressful so make sure you’re positive that moving in together is the right thing to do before you take the leap. 

Once you’ve made the decision, here’s our moving checklist to ensure it’s smooth sailing all the way from separate rooms to your new shared address: 

1. Get the finances sorted first. Agree what costs (like the rent and utilities) you’re going to split 50/50 and what expenses you’ll split differently. If you’ll only eat organically grown vegan food but your partner could live on a pack of Coles sausages for the week then there’s going to be an imbalance in your food costs – and the fight can get pretty ugly pretty fast if one partner thinks they are forking out more than they should. 

2. Figure out if you can live with that weird habit of your partner’s before you move in. If your other half is obsessed with garden gnomes or butterfly collections that have taken over the second bedroom, don’t expect that to change once you’re ensconced in the new home. 

3. Chances are one of you will be moving in to the other’s existing home. If this is the case, take a good look at how much space is available because you’ll both probably have to start shedding some of that stuff you’ve accumulated while flying solo. Now is definitely the time to start downsizing your wardrobe so if you haven’t worn it for 12 months or more, think about selling it on eBay, giving it to an Op Shop or dropping it in the bin. The same goes for all of your kitchen stuff – take a look at what you’ve each got, keep the best of it and sell or donate the rest, or you’ll end up with more things than you can store. 

4. While we’re on the subject of storing things, a little investment in some extra storage is definitely a sensible decision when you move in together. If you’re short on funds check out what’s listed on Gumtree or head off to Target, Kmart or Big W – they all have affordable options to help you store more stuff and clear out the clutter while you’re at it. 

5. Make it yours – no one wants to feel like they’re a guest in their own home but it’s easy to feel that way if you move into someone else’s space without putting your own mark on it. It could be a splash of paint on the walls, some new artwork, updating the furniture or investing in some new bed linen but whatever it is, make sure it’s an expression of what makes you...you. 

6. But – do make the décor decisions together. Nothing’s going to spell an early end to your cosy love nest than if your partner absolutely detests that new couch you bought or the bright orange colour you put on the walls on your day off. Remember, surprises are only great if (in your partner’s eyes) they’re good ones. 

If you’ve decided it’s time to shack up together be ready for some extra expenses while you turn your new home into the perfect couple’s retreat. Don’t worry if the budget’s already stretched a bit too far – if you need a little financial assistance to help smooth the moving in process, we’re here to help. Take a look at our flexible mini-loans up to $5K to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually deposited into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start planning now for your new life together.