You’re finally married! But, the big moments are not behind you. There is plenty more to look forward to, and if you’re planning on moving in together as a couple in the near future, there’s a lot of work to be done. From getting a hold of your finances to buying a home to building a new life together, it can become overwhelming for couples who are coming off the post-honeymoon adrenaline. Do you feel unprepared for this major step in your relationship? Well, have no fear. Here are five things that you can consider when preparing for your big move.
1. Weddings Cost a lot of money
Those couples with huge families will be the first ones to tell you that a wedding can take its toll on a savings account. While there are tons of saving strategies like having a DIY wedding, recycling or borrowing supplies, and downsizing when necessary, you can still work toward saving the money ahead of time so that you don’t have to make too many sacrifices.
Couples can save money months, or even years, before the wedding by temporarily changing their lifestyles and cutting expenses. Living on one income, axing unnecessary services, and getting a side hustle can help you save up enough money to afford a down payment on your first home as a couple.
2. Buying a home takes months of prep
Buying a home is a huge investment. If you go into the process blind, you can make a handful of detrimental mistakes, especially when it comes to your money. To prevent making any irreversible decisions, consult a real estate agent and begin taking the necessary steps as a couple.
Start with a conversation with your partner about where you want to live, how much you’re willing to spend, and any other important details. Next, figure out each of your credit scores as this will determine your next steps. Good credit scores indicate that you can start the initial stages of the mortgage process like preapproval and determining how much house you can afford, while poor scores might require a couple more years of building your credit health before applying for any loans. Completing these early steps will take some of the mental and financial stress out of buying a home after the wedding.
3. Find ways to compromise
What city do we plan to live in? What kind of home is best for our future? Do we want a turnkey property or are we willing to take on a fixer-upper? Even beyond closing on a home, you’ll be faced with the typical, small decisions like choosing paint colors, allocating household chores, and balancing schedules. You probably got a little taste of this never ending decision-making during wedding planning when choosing wedding favors, cakes, and venues with your partner.
All of these details will come up because, whether you like it or not, your life is no longer the same and you will have to accommodate the needs and wants of your partner. Despite the inevitable bickering that will take place, these conversations can be incredibly healthy and productive if you’re willing to compromise. Remember to listen to your partner, never rule anything out, and offer alternatives that accommodate the both of you.
4. Give it a test run
Many couples complete a “trial run” before moving in together. Essentially, they’re seeing what it’s like to cohabitate with their lifelong spouse. If you have not yet had the pleasure of living together during quarantines or lockdowns, many would recommend trying it out. Staying together for long periods of time will give you a clear picture of what daily life would be like.
Knowing what it’s like to live together can also give you an idea of what you need to work on as a couple before making any permanent moves. That way, you can break any of your own bad habits, work out some of the flaws in your communication, and recognize each other's pet peeves that you discovered during the trial run. Getting through those common relationship hurdles beforehand will make you a stronger couple in the long run.
Moving in together comes with a lot of challenges, but it can be one of the most rewarding journeys of your life. Going through these major life milestones together can help form a solid, stable, and secure partnership. Looking for more help making big decisions about your relationship or your wedding? Hop over to our blog!
