Moving in together is a huge step. You've decided you want to share a space, a routine, and a life — but have you talked about sharing your finances? For many couples, moving in together is the first time money becomes a genuinely joint concern, and without a clear plan it can quickly become a source of tension. The good news is that getting your finances organised early sets you up for a much smoother ride. Here's how to do it right from the start.
1. Have the Money Conversation Before You Move In
It might not be the most romantic pre-move conversation, but it's one of the most important. Before you sign a lease or start buying furniture together, sit down and talk openly about your financial situations. What does each of you earn? Do either of you have debts? What are your spending habits like? What does financial security mean to each of you? You don't need to share every detail, but you do need enough honesty to build a fair system together. Starting with transparency saves a lot of awkward conversations later.
2. Decide How You'll Split the Bills
This is the big one. There's no single right answer — what matters is that you both feel the arrangement is fair. Some couples go 50/50 on everything, which is simple and clean. Others split proportionally based on income, so the higher earner contributes more to shared costs. Some keep finances almost entirely separate and just divide specific bills. Think about what feels equitable for your situation and be willing to revisit it if circumstances change — a job loss, a promotion, or one partner going part-time can all shift the balance.
3. Create a Shared Budget for Joint Expenses
Once you've agreed on how to split costs, get everything written down in a shared budget. List every joint expense — rent, utilities, groceries, streaming services, home insurance — and what each of you contributes. OurWallet is built exactly for this: it gives couples one shared space to track joint spending in real time, so you always know where you stand without having to chase each other for bank transfers or tally up receipts at the end of the month.
4. Keep Some Financial Independence
Merging your lives doesn't mean merging everything. It's healthy — and important — for both partners to maintain some financial independence. Each of you should have personal spending money that's yours to use without justification or guilt. Whether it's for hobbies, clothes, nights out with friends, or just a treat — having that freedom prevents the suffocating feeling that every purchase is up for debate.
5. Plan for the Unexpected
Living together means sharing not just the good times but the stressful ones too. What happens if one of you loses a job? What if the boiler breaks or the landlord raises the rent? Building a small joint emergency fund early — even just a few hundred pounds to start — gives you both a cushion and a sense of security. It's one of the most practical and loving things you can do as a newly cohabiting couple.
Moving in together is the start of a new chapter, and getting your finances right from day one means you can focus on enjoying it. A little planning, a lot of honesty, and the right tools go a long way.
OurWallet helps couples manage their shared spending from the moment they move in — simple, transparent, and built for two.