Here's what you need to know:
Moving in with your other half is an exciting change that can be a meaningful step in your relationship. But if you don't plan it carefully, you and your partner could end up at each other's throats! Many couples find that deciding what to get rid of, what to keep and what to store are the most difficult decisions when moving in together. Here are some tips to help you get through the minefield.
1. Start with a plan
If you don't come up with a blueprint of how things are going to work in your new apartment, you might find that some things don't fit, or end up with serious disagreements further down the line. You should walk through your new place with a tape measure to figure out where your furniture will go. Before you move in, have a conversation with your partner to sort out what your new space will look like. You should also talk about what you will get rid of and what you will keep.
2. Get rid of things you don't need
Just because duplicates can be useful doesn't mean that you don't have things that you can get rid of! When you move in together, don't hesitate to get rid of items that you don't actually use. Some things you might want to focus on include old clothes, shoes and electronics. If you want to get rid of anything that is valuable, a yard sale or an online auction might make sense for you. You might also want to donate unwanted items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army rather than throwing them out.
While almost everyone has some things that can be eliminated, you should be sure to keep hold of all of your paperwork and records – you never know when you might need them, especially for any potential audits.
If you're having trouble deciding what you can afford to throw out, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you have used the item in the past year, or if you will want to use it in the foreseeable future.
3. Hang on to duplicates
If you and your partner both have certain types of items (think furniture, mattresses and televisions), it might seem like a good idea to throw half of them out or get rid of them. While this might work in the short term, it can often backfire. If you move into a bigger place later on, having more furniture could come in handy. If you break anything, keeping duplicates means you have a backup. And if you ever decide to go your separate ways, it is much easier to divide belongings if both of you held on to your things.
Where moving in together is concerned, some couples agree on everything from the get-go, while others need to invest a lot of time to agree on what to keep, throw out and store. Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules that work for everyone. Nevertheless, many people find tips like these extremely useful. Try them for yourself to make your move run more smoothly.