I have lived with my boyfriend for nearly a year now. When we first moved in together everything was split 50/50, even though he makes more than I do. It was just easier for us that way. We later decided to get a joint account. It's worked for us really well. I have my own savings account, with my money, which we have both used for vacations and such, but it's all under my control. I like having my own money, whether it be for fun or for, god forbid, emergancies of any kind.

We're looking at purchasing a house in the next year or 2, and have decided that if we're not married, we''ve both agreed to get a cohabitation agreement dealing with the division of property.

I don't think you can say one way or the other, which works best, it all depends on the couple. Things have worked out great for us, but that's just our relationship.

Geckos, keys and other surprises
 

I've seen practical posts so far on this. Now for the odd and insane. My younger brother's girlfriend, and my buddy waiting for his girlfriend to get back from Europe have all contributed to the following. TV is reruns, or once the game was over or Army Wives was finished, it's boring and hot here. Yes, this is an old post topic, oh well.

The kickoff for a friends/and family conversation on warnings/advice began after:

I received a telephone call yesterday from my younger brother's girlfriend. A waa waa waa sound was blaring in the background. She was unpacking, moving in, while my brother is off hiking. Yes, he knows, it isn't a surprise.
The girl needed to go online to check air schedules, and hadn't unpacked her computer. So she decided to use my brother's laptop. She quickly learned it is equipped with security software/anti theft, hence the waa waa waa. The poor girl wanted to know if I knew the security code. She'd obtained my number from a mutual friend, as everything in my baby brother's life is in his computer. No, I didn't know the code. So we tried: sports teams, pro and college, anything Star Wars related, the name of his gecko (see below), etc. Nope. A neighbor finally did something to turn off the machine or he killed it. I don't want to know.
advice/warning: if there are security codes provide them, or post warnings: don't touch.

Nice puppy/bad puppy and geckos. Pets are part of the package. An ex/former live-in had a Doberman that hated me. The feeling was mutual. I
also was not a fan of Wally the Gecko, reptile room mate of my younger brother. From crashing at my brother's when I was in town, I shared a room with Wally, and Wally's crickets. Gross: Animals/reptiles needing live food. And the chirping through the night, annoying. For my brother's girlfriend to move in, Wally had to find a new home, with an old room mate of his.
advice: pets should be part of the move-in negotiation process.


Errands. Yeah sure. For unknown reasons, I agreed to pick up the guy with the Doberman's shirts at the laundry. This was before I'd had any coffee and was half awake. I recalled the name of the laundry and headed to the one between the condo we shared and his office. Wrong. The laundry was part of a chain, like several stores. Dumb me, the shirts were at the one near his gym. Of course.
Advice: Clear instructions regarding errands are very appreciated.

Keys. It's great a set of keys was provided, but who else has one? Being surprised while getting dressed by your buddy who has a set from when he'd stay there when he couldn't drive home wasn't funny.
Advice: Determine who has keys, and if need be, change the locks and start over.

Your mother. :eek:What do you mean she's in town for a convention and wants to meet me for the first time a "nice" late lunch today? This needs major prior planning; time to wash/blow dry hair, get the nails done, shop.
Advice/Warning: To avoid inflicting trauma, mention such visits well in advance.

Cooking: A skill somewhat foreign to my sister and I. If you haven't been treated to a "home-cooked" meal before the move-in, don't hold your breath.
Advice: If a home cooked meal is that important, perhaps plan on being the cook.


My younger brother's girlfriend/new room mate and probably soon to be fiance says she hopes to break the curse on relationships in my family. A good start would be not assaulting his computer.:)