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Original poster

Are we ready to live together?

13 replies

rainbowslollipops · 13/04/2013 20:42

OH and I have been talking about living together. I have a 6yo dd and she loves him to pieces and has often asked when we're getting married. (won't be for a while longer yet) we've been together 2 years now and he works full time and I'm about to start a part time job so between us we'd easily be able to afford it. He'd move in with me cause I've got the bigger house compared to his flat he shares with his friend. When did you know was the right time to take things to the next level with your OH?

OP posts:
CognitiveOverload · 13/04/2013 20:43

What do you both think?

Original poster
rainbowslollipops · 13/04/2013 21:01

He thinks we're ready and so do I. I'm jus scared of making the wrong choice though.

OP posts:
CognitiveOverload · 14/04/2013 19:55

What's the worst that will happen if its the wrong timing?

Lueji · 14/04/2013 20:09

Has he given you any cause for concern at all?

If not, I'd just say to make sure you keep the emergency doors clear, just in case.

Original poster
rainbowslollipops · 14/04/2013 20:47

He's not given me any concerns. Naturally we disagree on things I.e. I can live without sky tv, he can't etc but I've only ever lived on my own. I'm not used to having another adult live with me let alone a man.

OP posts:
CognitiveOverload · 14/04/2013 22:31

Why is a man different to another adult?

Snowme · 14/04/2013 23:25

If you're asking advice you're probably not ready yet, in my experience.

If you're planing to marry one day, perhaps wait until a little closer to that time.

ImperialBlether · 14/04/2013 23:31

I'm going to sound like your mum, now.

Is he a decent man? Is he solvent? Does he have good manners? Is he house trained? Does he have a good relationship with his family? Are his family 'normal'? Is he generous? Does he have a temper? Is he lazy?

What's the worst thing you can say about him?

littleyellowbook · 14/04/2013 23:50

I think if you have a dd to think about, you need to be as sure as you can be that this relationship is going to last before living together. It's unfair to disrupt her life by moving in another adult and father figure, if there's a good chance that the relationship might not last.

Have you discussed finances? If you're working p/t and he's working f/t, he'd be making the bigger contribution to the household financially, so you need to be clear that he's willing to support your dd. You wouldn't be treated as a single parent any more regarding tax credits etc, so you could end up losing income and you'd be reliant on him to replace it. Will he be willing to pool finances and give you full access to it?

Have you discussed marriage at all? Or the role he would take as a stepdad? Would he pick up the slack if, say, you got ill and couldn't care for your dd for a while?

Original poster
rainbowslollipops · 15/04/2013 03:14

He's mentioned marriage but I think even getting engaged now is too soon and I'm 21 and about to start a bigger career so I tend to like to take things one step at a time. He's used to paying his part for the bills and rent cause he lives with his friend and in fairness it would help me with paying my bills. He earns £300 more a month than me so I think we'd be ok providing we spend after the bills are paid. He does help me out with dd a lot and she loves it when he stays over. His family are lovely especially his mum who's been a single mum to 3 kids so it's nice to not feel judged by her cause if anything she's already been there and done that. He's crap at DIY. That's about the only bad thing about him but then again I can put shelves up and have redecorated this house and put beds up so that's not a massive issue.

OP posts:
ThreeTomatoes · 15/04/2013 07:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rainbowslollipops · 15/04/2013 07:38

The joint account idea sounds great and perfect for us. He's used to paying half the rent at his place then half the food bill there too. I need to feel sure financially that we'll be ok. He understands the reason why I don't shop at expensive supermarkets and why my local market is good for veg and fruit. He can shop at expensive supermarkets because it's just him, but I'm currently in the process of showing him how to change things and budget. For example sky tv, do I need it? No I don't. Does he need it? Well he has it now where he lives so would like it. But I think we can do without it until we're used to paying our bills. Neither of us drive so there's a bit of money saved. i'd like to think we could save money together but I think it'll be tough so I tend to just put spare change in a pot and when its nearly full take it to the bank.

OP posts:
iclla · 22/05/2013 22:21

I think you need to look carefully at the implications of him moving in if you own the house you are living in (whether there is a mortgage or not) as compared to renting - I'm not sure which you're in. If he moves in, on a longer term basis, he could potentially claim a share in the house which becomes an important issue should you ever split up. A useful booklet is on
www.amazon.co.uk/Cohabitation-minefield-called-family-ebook/dp/B00CXABRLG/ref=sr_1_18?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369257682&sr=1-18&keywords=cohabitation

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