From The Straits Times    |


Photo: Pearl & Derek’s wedding

As anyone will tell you, moving in with someone, whether it’s your significant other, a group of friends or a bunch of anonymous flatmates, is essential in Singapore, as getting a place all to yourself is freaking expensive.

While living with your partner can get exciting (that’s one of the perks of married life, isn’t it?), here are some money issues to take note of before you and your partner start pulling each other’s hair out. 

Splitting the grocery bill

If you’re living with your friends or strangers, it’s fine if you want to split the grocery bill accordingly. But when you’re married, this will seem calculative and even stingy. Instead of buying your groceries together and splitting accordingly, have a joint bank account where you each put in money every month, for household expenses. Or, split it into categories – one partner can pick up the food items, while the other picks up the toiletries, cleaning essentials and so on. Just have a system that works for you.

Know your priorities

Determine your needs and wants. Water, electricity and wifi are key things. But when it comes to cable TV or the cleaning lady, it’s really up to you to see if you need it or not. Difficulties arise when there are disagreements as to what services are essential and what you’d rather not have.

Ultimately, some give and take is going to be necessary.

Know one another’s habits

Determine a morning schedule for one another, especially if you’re both going to work at the same time (a clash in bathroom schedules can lead to frayed tempers).

Ask yourselves these questions: Who’ll wake up earlier, who’ll get breakfast, who’ll leave the house last (and will therefore ensure everything’s switched off and locked), and so on. 

Cleanliness is also another factor. One of you may be messier/more particular than the other. Draw your boundaries – which rooms, drawers or areas are yours to mess, and which are his to keep clean. I’ve heard of couples getting into unnecessary fights because one of them is always cleaning up after the other. Sit yourselves down to discuss such matters (who does the chores on what day, and how clean the toilets, kitchen, bedroom or wardrobe should be).

Don’t leave the lights on!

While it’s highly unlikely you’ll leave your air-conditioning units running all day, forgetting to switch the fan or lights off can be more common than you think. If your husband is prone to doing such things, gently remind him about it, or leave post-it notes on every tab for the first few months or so. You’re both living on your own now, and there’s no one to pay the utility bills that can get expensive if you don’t look out.

To avoid disagreements, it’s a good idea to have a discussion with your partner and set some ground rules.

The original post on things to know before moving in with friends or a flatmate appeared first on the MoneySmart blog. MoneySmart.sg is Singapore’s leading personal finance portal that helps you to maximize your money. Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. Compare and shop for the best deals on Loans, Insurance and Credit Cards on our site now!