The average person on a first date typically tries to make a good first impression, so off-color language or offensive behavior is generally considered to be taboo. Things happen, though, and first dates don’t always go so smoothly. Sometimes you have to set decorum aside, other times you have no say in the matter. Today we’re gong to look at ten reasons why people might cuss on a first date:

1. First date is at a sporting event.  - Remember, the word fan is short for fanatic, and when it comes to fanatics and their teams, all bets are off. Unless of course you’re Pete Rose, but that’s another article.
2. Tourette’s Syndrome – Some people simply can’t -%$*& – help themselves. We sympathize completely with those poor b#$&#^%$. It’s stressful enough on a first date without having to deal with this $^%&.
3. Locking keys in the car. – This is enough to drive anyone to fits of cussing, as far as we’re concerned. Never mind, Tourette’s, Forgets Syndrome causes way more volatile side effects. Trust us on this one.
4. Chicken Flambé – This is what happens when you try too hard to impress. You order something unusual at some fancy schmancy French restaurant. It comes to your table engulfed in flames as you’re bending down to pick up the napkin you fumbled to place on your lap. Your hair will be fully regrown long before anyone forgets this night.
5. Talking about their ex. – Let’s face it, it’s easy to slip into some fairly salty language when the mood is right. You may wish to keep the animosity you’re still feeling toward your ex to yourself.  At least until the third date, anyway. And get some anger management therapy.
6. Seeing the restaurant check. - If the chicken flambé doesn’t get you, one look at the damages might do the trick. We’ll take care of the tip on this one: Don’t bite off more than you can chew just to make an impression.
7. It just comes naturally. – There are those, on the other hand, who swear like a drunken sailor even under normal circumstances. It could just be nerves, too. This is what dating is all about, though – discovering each other’s charming little peccadilloes that make us so interesting.
8. Sex on the first date. – Hey, it happens. Or so we’re told. When it does happen, we understand there’s a little thing called pillow talk that also takes place. So the language could get a little colorful, is all we’re saying.
9. Getting stood up. – On the plus side, you won’t lose any style points for this one. There’s no one there except you to hear the expletives. Try to get it out of your system before driving home, or calling him.
10. PTMD ( Post-Tarrantino Movie Disorder ) – If your date included a movie, it’s possible that discussing, or even quoting from it, might involve some dicey dialogue. As long as no one’s hair caught fire, or was left holding the bag, we say it’s all good.

The communication barrier between male and female of the human species is an age-old dilemma. We understand that we’re wired differently, yet we’ve never quite managed to find a common language. No one is ever going to accuse men of being complex creatures, mind you, but still women fail to comprehend some fundamental truths about them. The following are ten facts about men that women just haven’t figured out:

1. One of the main facts about men that women need to be clear on is that there isn’t nearly as much about them to understand as they may think, or hope. Men function at a much more primal level, so to understand them requires a simplistic approach.
2. Men aren’t deliberately ignoring women when they talk. Millions of years of evolution have conditioned their ears to filter out extraneous sounds to keep attuned to audio frequencies within their intellectual spectrum, like fart noises.
3. Men’s emotional capacity typically ranges from laughing at The Three Stooges, to crying for Old Yeller (though they are loathe to admit it). Anything beyond that is simply not part of their emotional makeup.
4. Men don’t intend to change after you’ve married them, nor do they expect that they need to. Moreover, they expect you to stay the same as well. Men resist change, right down to their underwear.
5. They will express astonishment at your idea of maturity, and point to the fact that they no longer scratch their genitals in front of company as evidence that they’ve grown since you first met.
6. It is deeply embedded within the genetic code of the American male to discuss sports, weather and mechanical devices when talking among their own kind. Any subject of a more esoteric nature is strictly forbidden. Attempts at introducing such topics will result in a blank stare.
7. Men do not shop for pleasure, ever. They will set out to purchase something they want or need, and will not return home without it, even if it means paying more than it’s worth. This is especially true if it is motorized, illuminates or explodes.
8. Men for the most part regard sexual compatibility from the standpoint of plumbing and opportunity. There is little if any consideration given to trivial details like intimacy, foreplay or last names, much less the morning after.
9. When a woman asks a man what’s on his mind and he replies, “Nothing”, she can safely assume that he is telling the truth. The human male brain is capable of operating on such a primitive level that it can be transfixed by a bug zapper, and worship its creator.
10. Women treat clothes as collectibles, men regard them as heirlooms. A woman has day-of-the-week panties, with the days printed on each pair. Men have underwear to commemorate each Daytona 500, with racing stripes on each pair.

On top of the traditional issues involved with dating, same-sex couples face a whole other set of challenges as well. Collectively, they can present quite a daunting obstacle course for those hoping to find the right partner. The following is a list of 10 same-sex dating challenges:

1. Family – It’s one thing to have to deal with gaining the approval of your partner’s family, much less your own. Depending upon the support and tolerance you have from family, this can make dating doubly difficult for you.
2. Discretion – Not all homosexuals are as comfortable and open about their chosen lifestyle as others. Imagine trying to find the love of your life, while at the same time having to keep the whole process of searching for them a secret from most of your friends, co-workers, and family.
3. HIV/AIDS – There is no getting around the topic and its threat to the gay community. As in any other at-risk group, monogamous sex, refraining from drug use and engaging only in safe sex drastically reduces the risk.
4. Religion – Few major religions openly embrace homosexuals into their congregation, and many condemn the lifestyle as sinful. Still, many homosexuals wish to express their spirituality without prejudice. This can be an even bigger sticking point for same-sex couples than it often is for hetero partners.
5. Marriage – In addition to having to agree on whether or not both partners see marriage as part of their future, there’s the added question of where the prospect is even possible, and whether both parties are willing to relocate if necessary.
6. Children – The choice of whether to raise kids is obviously fraught with more complications than in a traditional relationship. The red tape and logistics involved (adoption, surrogate parents, etc.) can be extremely discouraging.
7. Venues – In some communities, the options available for same-sex partners to date publicly and safely aren’t very plentiful. Depending on where you live, sadly, dating out in the open can be just plain dangerous.
8. Potential Partners – Another challenge is when the availability of viable partners is limited. This isn’t generally an issue in large metropolitan areas; but beyond large cities, your options can dwindle precipitously.
9. Ex-Partners/Children – For homosexuals who have discovered, or chosen, later in life that they are in fact gay, complications arise when there are ex-spouses and children  involved. This is particularly difficult when custody and/or visitation rights are at stake.
10. Professional Repercussions – As in the case of family and community, one’s career can also be jeopardized by the revelation that one is dating members of the same sex. It’s unfortunate but still true in many quarters that tolerance and equality for gays is a work in progress.

Finding accurate statistics on adultery rates is very difficult. The most accurate way to get data is through face to face interviews and most people are unwilling to disclose extramarital affairs when they know their identity will be known. However, throughout history, there have been markers that indicate probable increases in infidelity. We’ve listed a few of those times below.

1. Ancient Greece – Ancient Greeks did not view human sexuality the same as we do now. There seems to have been a lot more freedom. As women became land owners and their position in society increased, sexual freedoms became more acceptable as it was considered a gift from the Gods.
2. The dawning of Christianity – There are scholars who have interpreted certain parts of the Scripture to indicate that some of the earliest Christians felt that because their sins were forgiven they had the freedom to commit all kinds of sexual immorality that had previously been denied them. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue several times in the Epistles admonishing early believers that they were to emulate Christ and abstain from sexual immorality and all other acts that were not in alignment with the teachings of Christ.
3. Middle Ages – During the Middle Ages adultery was seen as a diversion for the upper classes. Men were expected to marry a virgin and marry well. However, before doing so, there was the expectation that they would have proven their virility on several occasions.
4. Early U.S. History – At this time there were no divorces because there was no legal way for a couple to end their marriage. However in 1701, if you lived in Maryland, you were able to get a divorce. Divorces were only granted for adultery.
5. Early 1900’s – Divorce rates were still relatively low, but higher for women than men, which would indicate a rise in adultery since that was the only reason one could get divorced.
6. 1930’s – During the great depression divorce rates more than quadrupled for both men and women. Most likely the stress of the times caused an increase in adultery and the fact that during the 1920’s there was a much looser lifestyle on the rise than had been seen before.
7. World War II – This period of time saw another spike in the divorce rate, presumably due to the many wartime marriages that took place where people did not really know each other that well. Many marriages were the result of young people feeling that they had to get married since the males were going off to war.
8. 1950’s – This period of time saw the steady increase of divorce rates, over twice the rates of the Great Depression era. At this time divorce was still only granted on grounds of adultery.
9. 1960’s and 70’s – During this time of history, society was going through some major changes. This was the era of “free love,” the Vietnam War was in full swing, Civil Rights and Women’s rights were also being fought for.  Once again the divorce rate spiked, this time, it is thought that the advent of no fault divorce played a part in the spike. Even so, history tells us that sexual exploitation was rampant.
10. 21^st Century – Once again, society has gone through some serious changes. People are viewing marriage and relationships differently. Statistically it looks like adultery is still on the rise and the disillusionment of marriage and our disposable mentality seems to be at the root of it.

Adultery still tears people and families apart and causes damage to the psyche and the emotional wellbeing of those involved. Children are the biggest losers when families disintegrate due to infidelity.

Dishonesty isn’t an admirable trait, and the health of any relationship depends on honest and open communication. Trust is an essential factor as well, yet there are times when a little white lie here and there might be less damaging than telling your partner what you really think. See what you think about these ten reasons a man should lie to his girlfriend:

1. Cooking – She spends all day preparing a meal as part of a special evening she’s planned for the two of you.  Dinner doesn’t turn out quite like the recipe had promised. Is honesty really the best policy when she asks you how you liked the cheese soufflé?
2. Clothing – After she’s asked you to critique every outfit in her wardrobe, you just have to convince her that she looks absolutely stunning in that last one, or you’d never get out of the house. This is simply a case of handling indecision or insecurity for the sake of moving on.
3. Conflict – An untruth can help stave off unnecessary conflict over a relatively unimportant issue. If the relationship doesn’t depend on a 100% honest answer to a question, which would lead to needless strife, then it’s not worth being honest about it.
4. Weight – Tact often takes precedence over the truth. There is nothing to be gained, for instance, in telling her that she looks like she gained a few pounds, or that her butt looks too big in those pants. The truth is that she’s more likely to be seeking affirmation and support when she asks, than she is for an honest answer.
5. Preference – As a subjective matter, if a man knows that his girlfriend would prefer not knowing the truth about a given subject, then he is simply honoring her feelings and preferences by lying to her. If it doesn’t endanger anyone or the relationship by withholding the truth, then it isn’t automatically a bad thing.
6. Past – Withholding details about one’s past that are no longer relevant, and which pose no threat to anyone nor the relationship is okay, too. For instance, if you’ve done a few things in the past of which you aren’t particularly proud, full disclosure isn’t a requirement.
7. Brutal – When telling her the truth would only serve to hurt her feelings, there’s no real up side to your being honest, and therefore no valid reason to let it all hang out. There are times when being brutally honest is just plain brutal, for the sake of honesty.
8. Pain – Sometimes a fib can protect someone from a truth that they may not be able to bear. For instance, if you witness your girlfriend’s cat being mauled to death by a pack of dogs, it’s probably okay to let her believe that Fluffy died peacefully in the shade of an elm tree.
9. Time – If she takes an excruciatingly long time getting dressed to go out, it’s probably a good idea to fib to her about what time you made those reservations for. She’ll catch on to this tactic after a while, of course, but if you’re lucky, it might eventually help her to shave some time off of picking out a pair of shoes.
10. Stress - Most importantly, when she’s had a long, stressful week at work, and you’ve been sitting there watching her sleep peacefully; when she awakens in a panic and asks what time it is, don’t let on that it’s almost lunch time. Tell her it is 6 AM, and then go make her some breakfast in bed.

Honesty is the best policy, but that doesn’t always mean you have to tell everything you know. Keeping a few things to yourself is usually a good bet, as is glossing over the worst parts. Know where the line is drawn.

Most men like to grow facial hair because they think it makes them more macho and manly. The only problem is that growing a full beard can be itchy and uncomfortable, and keeping a goatee trimmed and looking nice can be a hassle. So where’s the happy medium? Most men find it in the form of a nice mustache. What they may not realize, however, is that while they may be thrilled with their ability to grow facial hair, most women are usually not nearly as enamored with the addition of the mustache. For all the men who are thinking of growing a mustache, you may want to give that facial hair a second thought. Here are just ten of the reasons women hate mustaches.

1. Hairbrush with lips – Kissing a guy with a mustache is the equivalent of kissing a hairbrush with lips. This is, needless to say, not exactly the most pleasant experience for a woman because if you’re ever so slightly off the mark you’re smooching with bristles instead of lips.
2. Abrasive – Some men just don’t realize that a bristly mustache can be quite abrasive when making out with the woman in their life. No woman wants a skin rash courtesy of their man’s mustache, and if your wife or girlfriend doesn’t seem quite so amorous as before, perhaps the mustache is to blame.
3. Tickles – For those that were graced with finer facial hair or a mustache that’s long enough not to be bristly any more, they face another obstacle: the upper lip hair can be quite ticklish. While this may be funny and endearing at first, it will then quickly lose its charm, especially in sensitive areas.
4. Gross – Most women think mustaches are just downright gross. There’s no telling what those facial hairs have collected or when the last time was that it was thoroughly cleaned, and those thoughts of untold amounts of bacteria, or what have you, which come that close to your mouth is simply not hygienic or appealing.
5. Eating – Watching a man with a mustache eat can be extremely unappetizing. Food and beverages get caught on the hair and vice versa. Do these guys have any idea how many germs get into their food from that filthy mustache? Not to mention when they lick it off it’s kind of the icing on the cake in terms of grossness. Yuck!
6. Not attractive – A lot of women find mustaches unattractive, especially since there are very few men who can actually pull off looking good with a mustache. For the majority of men it’s just not a look that works for them. While they may consider it a dashing look, most women think it just looks cheesy.
7. Whisker burn – Any woman who has had a relationship with a guy who has a mustache has experienced whisker burn at one time or another. This can really put a damper on a passionate moment in a hurry. There’s nothing like pain to kill the mood.
8. Negative impression – A guy with a mustache looks sinister to some people, and most women are really turned off by this look. It brings back visions of 70’s porn stars and for some it has evil connotations. Many of the bad guys in movies had mustaches and that leaves a negative impression. Do you really want to leave that less than stellar impression on the women in your life?
9. Not fashionable – Mustaches have been popular in the past, but right now they’re just not very fashionable. There may come a time when a popular celebrity emerges with a style of mustache, causing it to become fashionable again, but that’s just not happening right now.
10. Gets out of hand – Some guys with mustaches really go overboard. They let the Fu Manchu get so long they can braid it or have a handle bar mustache complete with the waxed and curled ends. The walrus type mustache gets just plain ridiculous and men who have these usually end up spending more time on their mustaches than they do with women.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and there are some women out there who may like their men with mustaches, or the very least can tolerate them. Men who are in secure relationships are more likely to get away with growing a mustache than those who are trying to attract a female partner. It’s all a matter of personal taste and a self-assured man who actually looks good in a mustache could potentially pull it off. That facial hair between the nose and upper lip certainly demonstrates a man’s maleness. Good luck finding a woman who appreciates it.

You’re probably wondering if it’s actually possible to win every argument. And the answer is… maybe. Then again, maybe not; it really all depends on how you handle things.  I can give some ways that will help both of you and it will be a win/win situation.  To a guy winning doesn’t always mean that she has changed her point of view entirely and tells him that he is right.  After all, I said I can help; I’m not a miracle worker. The majority of the time guys consider it winning when the argument ends.  Women, on the other hand, tend to get riled up and will beat a dead horse if they are passionate enough about a subject. Women have no problem waiting until you tell them they’re right.

1. Change the subject:  When you start to notice that your girlfriend is getting heated up about a topic from the news that you two disagree on, change the subject abruptly.  Say, “Oh!  I forgot to tell you that Tom at work got fired, had a baby, bought a car…”  Anything you can think of that is superfluous gossip will abruptly shift the mood.  She will be caught off guard and when her thoughts shift to whatever news you told her it should take the wind out of her sails.  No argument so you win!
2. Compliment her: Look at her when she is yelling at you or adamantly making her case and find something about her at that moment that you find beautiful and tell her about it.  While the tried and true, “You are beautiful when you are angry” may work for some women, others might think it trite.  You can say something about how beautiful her eyes are when they flash with anger.  The compliment will deflate the argument so you can move on to something else.  She may make a few half-hearted attempts at continuing the argument after, but then it will fizzle because she’ll be wrapped up in your compliment. Girls like compliments.
3. Bring her a glass of wine: If she is super angry and there’s a chance she will throw the glass of wine on you then I would skip the red and bring her a glass of white.  Otherwise, bring her whatever her favorite wine is or whatever you have that is easily accessible.  The thoughtfulness of your actions will reduce her anger and give her time to think while she is sipping the wine.  The alcohol itself should mellow her over time so you win.
4. Agree to disagree: This is the type of win where the guy just gets the argument to be over so he can move on with his day.  Just ask her if you two can just agree to disagree on this point or topic.  If she keeps trying to tell you her side just let her know that at some later date you might be open to hearing the pros and cons, but for now you just want to agree to disagree and move on.  If she is rational that should be the end of the argument.
5. Don’t argue in the first place: Okay, this may seem like not so much a way to win an argument, but a technique.  If you hit on a topic that gets her upset just stop talking about it.  Acknowledge her points and say something like, “I’ve never thought about it like that.  Can I have time to think over your points?”  She will say yes and the argument will end before it even ever gets off the ground.
6. Make her laugh: The quickest way to end an argument is to make the other person laugh.  The trick is that you have to be clever enough to know what to do to make her laugh.  Remember, what makes her laugh normally may not work when she is angry.  Tickle her, make a face at her or draw a face on your hand and make it talk in a funny accent.  Anything that will interrupt the argument should work to end it.
7. Do something out of character: What would your girlfriend do if, in the middle of an argument, you dropped down on the floor and did a somersault?  Of course, if you normally do somersaults it would not be out of character so you would need to pick something else.  Grab a bottle of bubble juice and start blowing bubbles.  No one can stay angry with bubbles in the air.  They are just so darn happy!
8. Whisper: I used to use this technique a lot when I was on the phone with an irate attorney.  I would gradually speak softer and softer and he would have to stop yelling to hear what I was saying.  When someone is whispering at you or speaking in very low tones it’s hard for you to continue shouting at them. 
9. Refuse to get angry: If you refuse to lose your temper and keep your voice at a normal volume then what you are having is a debate and not an argument.  Debates can often be won, but sometimes they just end in a tie.
10. Slow dance with her: Depending on the girl you might have to catch her early in the argument to do this.  If she is already livid she will not let you get near her and you won’t be able to get her into a slow dance.  But if you grab her early and twirl her around the room she will calm down.  And isn’t making up the best part about arguing anyway?

When asked whether it’s OK to lie to one’s partner most of us would probably instinctively and emphatically say absolutely not, reasoning that honesty is not only an important part of a healthy relationship, but arguably one of the most important parts of a healthy relationship. But take a step back and think for a moment, and you’re probably also apt to recall instances when there just was no “up” side to telling the truth. Girls, how often have you needed to be less than honest with your man? Let’s look at 10 reasons why women lie to their men:

1. Perhaps the biggest reason a woman will lie to her boyfriend is to spare his feelings. If she is convinced that the guy simply can’t handle the truth, a girl is likely to hold back or embellish something for the sake of his fragile ego.
2. Withholding information about her past isn’t necessarily bad, or even deceitful. If it’s something that is only pertinent to the past and has no bearing on your future or your current relationship, then there’s no need to bring it up now. Leave it in the past where it belongs.
3. A woman may not tell her boyfriend something that she thinks would cause him to worry, such as her travel habits. Some guys, for instance, can’t deal with a girl who is independent and has no problem venturing out on her own now and then. So she might want to keep the fact that she does her grocery shopping after midnight to herself, so as not to alarm her protective boyfriend.
4. Trust is a two-way street, and not something that is easy to come by. While we may think of lying as a violation of that trust, it’s also true that we need to fully be able to trust someone before we can share sensitive information openly with them. Fibbing may just be a function of holding back something until she feels comfortable enough to share it.
5. Regarding trust, it’s also possible that a woman will want to test a man by telling him a lie. It may be done to see if he can keep a secret, or it could be to gauge his level of tolerance or open-mindedness. Whatever the reason, a fib may be the litmus test she uses to sample a man’s emotional or psychological makeup, and not done simply to deceive him.
6. A woman will sometimes respond in a situation that ‘it’s OK’, or ‘I’m fine’ when in fact neither is the case. These responses usually come when she simply isn’t convinced that she can engage her man in a prolonged meaningful discussion about what’s really on her mind, or isn’t quite ready to discuss the situation with him and is looking for a way to brush it off.
7. Because women communicate differently than their male counterparts they often times use body language and nuance to augment their words and sometimes may say something verbally that they don’t really mean whole-heartedly. This is usually done with the (often mistaken) expectation that the man can discern the difference.
8. As with men, women may lie about what they really want because they actually don’t know the true answer to that question themselves. Fear may be the motivating factor behind making up a response, whether it’s the fear of rejection, ridicule for not knowing, or simply for being indecisive.
9. If the subject being discussed is one that has come up in a past relationship, and she gave honest opinion then that was poorly received, then she may be reticent to being so forthcoming and open about the subject this time around. Again, this one boils down to her needing to trust her man and not yet being comfortable enough to do so.
10. For some women lying is a way to bridge the gap between reality and the ideal they want for their lives. In their minds, it’s a mechanism for keeping that ideal alive because in the end, the only bad lie is one that hurts her relationships.

There was a time when wedding proposals were done in private, on bended knee, in intimate and romantic settings. Today, everything is a media event, it seems. The bigger the splash, the better for many folks. We propose at sporting events, on daytime talk shows, and via social media profiles. So, what are the most over the top methods, we wondered? Here are the 7 most expensive ways to propose online:

1. GPS Hunt – This one involves having your significant other follow an elaborate treasure hunt, via GPS tracking by mobile device, in order to find a prize. In this case, the engagement ring. The logistics and preparation could be pricey, and involve exotic locales, but the creativity factor is through the roof with this one.
2. Placing Ads – As with traditional print media, you can purchase ad space online at all sorts of websites, and in all sizes. Buying large ad space on heavily-trafficked websites can run into some serious coin, we’re guessing.
3. Make a Video – Sure, you could create one at home for free. But a real romantic would fly to the to New York City and film his proposal at the top of the Empire State Building – on Valentine’s Day, then post it on YouTube, if he really wanted to get her to say ‘yes’.
4. Movie Trailers – Think about it: millions of people are queuing up for the trailer for the latest action thriller, and patiently sit through that preceding 30-second ad. They see you, kneeling and asking the camera, “Karen, would you marry me?”
5. @KimKardashian – No matter how you slice it, this online proposal is bound to cost you some serious moolah. Think before you tweet. The cash you save may be your own. On the plus side, we hear that she is, in fact, recently available.
6. YouTube, Me Screwed – Then there’s this poor guy, who thought it would be a great idea to propose to his girl at a basketball game – on YouTube – for the world to see. Sadly, she didn’t think it was such a great idea. This is just about as costly an online proposal as you can make, if you ask us.
7. Long Distance Relationship – More and more couples are meeting online, and geography can be a major factor in some cases. Proposing to someone halfway around the world involves more than a simple Skype call. Then you have to meet in person, and that’s when it really gets expensive.

Making the leap from dating to cohabitation can be daunting; on top of trying to combine two lives worth of belongings into one space, there’s the added tension of wondering if you’ll even be able to get along. Before you sign that lease, here are ten ways you can test your compatibility.

1. Go On Vacation – Take a trip together, preferably a road trip. Being in such close quarters while you travel and sharing a small hotel room will give you a decent idea of each others’ habits, and an opportunity to have a long discussion.
2. Visit the Family – It’s almost impossible to be anything but yourself when visiting the parents. Take turns spending holidays or special occasions with your separate families; in addition to seeing each others’ true colors, you can also get a feel for future gatherings as a couple.
3. Extended Sleep Overs – Spending one or two nights a week together won’t provide a clear picture; before moving in to a shared space, it’s a good idea to spend at least two weeks in the same house. Because you’re both likely to still be on your best behavior, if you’re ready to tear your hair out within a few days, you might want to rethink moving in.
4. Talk About Where You Want to Live – One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a couple starting a life together is where to live. Will one of you move into the home the other already has? If so, will that person be able to shelve possessive tendencies of the space? Many couples opt to find a new place together to avoid this, but if it isn’t feasible for your relationship, you’ll need to be aware of how much adding a new person to a home will change it.
5. Have a Long Discussion About Finances – Though wanting to avoid discussions about a possible breakup is natural, it’s important to talk about how it would affect you financially if you’re living together. If you’re planning to get a new home together, it’s a good idea to be sure that one person can afford to keep it should you break up. Also, you’ll need to be aware of each other’s spending habits to avoid future fights over money.
6. Get a Joint Checking Account – Opening a joint checking account can be a great way to learn each other’s financial habits. It might be best to keep a relatively small balance at first, since it’s a financial experiment of sorts.
7. Wait a While – Even if you think you’re ready, wait a bit longer to move in. The longer that you’re together but living separately, the more time you’ll have to get accustomed to one another. Habits and pet peeves that would rear their heads early in a cohabiting relationship might take much longer to discover otherwise.
8. Know Where You Both Stand on Marriage – Some couples view cohabitation as test-driving marriage, while others see it as the end of the commitment line. Often, people hesitate to bring up the subject for fear of scaring the other person away, but if you’re committed enough to consider living together, this shouldn’t be an issue. If one of you would like to one day get married, while the other has no desire to formalize a relationship, it will only lead to trouble down the line. You should both know exactly what your plans are before you pack the first box.
9. Make Some Rules – No matter how much you love one another, living together is still an arrangement. Deal-breakers should be discussed openly to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line. Remember, getting out of an unsuitable relationship is exponentially more difficult after you’ve moved in together.
10. Talk About What You Can Part With – Unless you both have an unlimited income, you’re probably not going to be able to afford a space large enough for both of you to keep everything you own. He might have to part with the futon he’s had since college, she might need to sell her extensive porcelain doll collection. One of the conversations you should definitely have is what you can stand to part with and what is absolutely part of the package.

While these tips will help you go into cohabitation with a bit more information, it’s important to realize that there really are no sure-fire methods for learning each others’ quirks before moving in. Some things won’t come to light until the honeymoon period ends, which can take months. Be prepared to learn new and sometimes surprising things about your mate each and every day after you start sharing living quarters.