Moving in Together? Here’s How to Combine Households

When you make the important decision to move in with another person, and you have both been living on your own for quite a while, you will find that you have a lot of choices to make in terms of what to keep and what to sell, donate or toss. Before the movers arrive to haul your stuff to your knew residence, you should already have an idea of what you will need to keep because your new roommate doesn’t have what you have or doesn’t have the quality of what you have.

To begin the process of paring down your belongings, have your partner take an inventory of all the belongings he or she owns. You should do the same with your belongings. You should also be looking at the items you intend to purchase together once you move in. After you have both made an inventory list, you should both circle items on your personal lists that you simply cannot live without. These items should be considered untouchable for either person.

In general, when it comes to items that do not have any particular sentimental attachment to them, you should keep the one that is newer or works better. Some items should be kept based on the brand, since some brands simply do not manufacture as high quality of products as others. If you and your roommate are trying to achieve a specific style, keep only the items that will complement that style. For instance, if you are going for a modern look, your antiques might not have a place in the new home.

Before your movers show up in your driveway, you should hold a garage sale to sell items of value that neither one of you wants to keep. Use the money that you make from your sale to purchase items together that you still need. Whatever is left over at the garage sale can be donated to one of numerous organizations that distribute such things to less fortunate people.

If there are certain items that you simply cannot agree to keep or toss, consider renting a storage locker to put them in. This way, they will stay safe until the two of you can come to some sort of agreement about those items. Sometimes, all it takes is seeing your new house without those items for you to be able to part with belongings that you once thought you never would.