Latinas Are Offering Up Their Best Advice For Chicas Moving In With A Romantic Partner

¡Felicidades!

If you’re here, it means you’ve made the decision to make a bigger step of commitment with your partner and have decided to move in together. For some of you, things are all uphill from the moving in process, for others it will take a lot more hard work and dedication to make things work (if that’s what you choose in the long-haul.) Fortunately, plenty of chicas are familiar with the experience of moving in with a partner and are offering up some insightful advice on how to merge your life with a partner without causing harm and keeping yourself sane.

Recently, we asked our FIERCE readers who have experienced or are currently living with their significant other for some tips.

Check out the best advice and tips below!

“Pick your battles. Everyone has their own messes and cleaning styles. Have patience to learn how they do things and for them to see how you do things. It’s also important to make time for yourself by yourself in your own home and for them to do so as well. Communication is key! (But also remember that communication doesn’t mean to fight all the time).” –jenoemi87

“You are not his/her mother. You are not his/her caretaker. You are not his/her personal chef. You are a unit. You are a team. There’s no I in team.” –lisztobombs

“Make sure you have schedules alone time daily or at least weekly👌🏾 it’s so easy to get caught up spending so much time with your person and start to lose yourself. This will only put a strain on your relationship + it’s not worth it. ALWAYS designate time that’s just for you + encourage them to do the same.” –theflowerchildbruja

“Separate bank accounts. Share bills and chores equitably. Maintain individual interests.” –deannavillanuevasaucedo

“Be patient. Not everyone was raised the same way you were.” –alexandriatrece

“Set boundaries!!!!!! Talk about finances openly. Don’t judge each other. Have patience but don’t take anyone’s sh*t.” –lisztobombs

“Get two restrooms!! It might be more money but it’s definitely worth your sanity.” –savannah_smilesssss

“Don’t be so hard on eachother. Don’t have such high expectations from your spouse, make it a point to organize and declutter every month bc most likely you’ll be moving things in the house around a lot. If you’re having issues with your partner holding up their end on chores assign them certain day where you both tackle them. Sometimes it can get overwhelming so it’s okay to walk away and finish things later. Communicate as much as possible if you’re feeling a certain way.” –neomiceleste

“Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. About everything- money, dishes, bills, hygiene regiments, sex, E👏🏼VER👏🏼Y👏🏼THING👏🏼 Trust yourself. And have a backup plan & secret savings because you never know 🤓 breakup or no, things could go south and you’ll need funds.” –alexis_danielle_quiroz

“Make time for yourselves – and also plan out chores, etc ahead of time so neither of you feel like you’re doing more than the other. Team work makes the dream work and that goes with romantic partners and also just friendships in general.” –bperformer

“Remember that you’re a partnership. Partners. That means no one is “helping out around the house” or “covering” for you. That home is yours to both care for, to cook in, clean, decorate, and provide for. Never forget that.” –alicianna88

“People aren’t mind readers so if something is bothering you let them know. Make sure the you have your own space even if it’s a corner of your room that just yours to adorne and feel safe. It can be a vanity, alter, a desk, etc. Understand each other’s love language.” –arcoiris_31

“If you are both working full time, each of you are in charge of dinner every other night. Whether it’s cooking/takeout/paying at a restaurant dinner is the responsibility one of you every other night. If you or your partner don’t know how to cook, learn together to achieve it.” –tarotqween

“Therapy. For each partner or for both. Couples therapy is not for marriages, it’s for people. Getting therapy doesn’t mean your relationship is in bad shape. It means that you value getting help with something you care about but that’s also super complex. Relationships are not easy.” –teresanastasia

“Have patience.” –izzy_gbaby

“It’s ok to do things with out each other and have your friends and have your own time. Also, money NEEDS to be right. Establish bills and rules right away.” –_gab_a_roni_n_cheese

“Make time for yourself.” –lamujeresquivel

“Speak about everything and all of it the first day! Or even before! who’s gonna do what and how it’s gonna be done, talk about what your relationship will be like, talk about having people over, talk about who pays what, listen and learn their ways because it’s HARRRRRD to do all this after time has passed and you feel the wrath of not communicating. But most importantly have fun with your new best friend/slumber party partner ! do stuff in the middle of the night, walk around naked (if you can) enjoy each other’s company!” –gold.dayummm

“It’s not easy, communication is the key!!” –pattyporteous

“What do you want out of this relationship? A true partnership or a mother who will cook and pick up after you?”- xochitl1977

“Keep your money separate. This is always, but ESPECIALLY important for the younger set.” –paranormalauren

“Let the little things go and be patient with each other.” –gambitpumpkinpie

“Discuss how they load the toilet paper in the dispenser.-rixflixs

“Separate bank accounts & make a budget of all mutual costs to split evenly down the middle.” –rebelada

“Ask for references from past roommates/live-in partners.” –quezso

“This should be titled what information should each of you reveal to the other before moving in together: credit history, bank statements, pay stubs, retirement accounts. How will you divide bills and home duties?” –latangueranyc

“Live with them for at least a year before you go marrying them lol. People who don’t live together first tend to end up having problems down the road. Get used to each other’s living habits, and routines, or work out new habits and routines together. As long as everyone is happy and things are mostly peaceful.” –october_dreams

“Always keep bank accounts and car leases/ loans separate! Always!!!”-e.d.g626

“Be Respectful Communicators. Remember that not everyone will act, think and do as you. you have to be patient when they can’t reciprocate that and don’t let shit slide either. Set boundaries too because you need to take care of your mental health too. The right ones always respect these basics.” –ferarose_

“Talk finances! Don’t use your name for bills he is responsible for.” –mar_aqui_

“COMPASSION for communication. You are growing as a couple and it may take time to find the right form of communication when being in the same place. Keep yourself independent and have your private time even if it’s under the same roof. Set ground rules before someone gets used to something.” –mariposa.in.action

“You will be sharing your space, make sure you both understand that, it’s no longer just “I” or “mine”.” –ari.r.huichapa

“Never get joint bank accounts. Keep your money separate.” –jayyyyubz

“Communication and patience are essentials. Talk to one another and set the expectations at the beginning about bills, cleanliness of the house/apt. And don’t be afraid to speak up and talk when the expectations aren’t being met. You two should be EQUALS. It’s really easy to fall into stereotypical gender roles, especially coming from a typical Hispanic upbringing.” –21djenne

“Talk about who is going to clean the bathroom, kitchen etc ahead of time.” –offical_hartbreaker

“Invest in some time, it doesn’t have to be a lot of time, each day to be really in each other’s company without electronic interruptions. Whether it be talking, dancing, or just holding each other, give yourselves that time.” –senorita_maketa