Moving In Together? Here’s How To Get Aligned Without Killing The Chemistry

Queenie Tan is the creator of Invest With Queenie, a finance educator, author of The Fun Finance Formula and co-founder of budgeting app Bilroo. She creates practical, relatable money content to help Australians feel more confident with budgeting, investing and building a life they actually enjoy.​ In partnership with ING, she's here to help you navigate those everyday money dilemmas in 2026 and beyond. 

Moving in together is one of those milestones that’s equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Between figuring out whose couch makes the cut and learning each other’s daily routines, there’s also the less romantic side of sharing a home: your finances.

When I moved in with my now-husband Pablo, we put a few money plans in place early to avoid tough conversations later. It’s one of the best things we did. Here’s my step-by-step guide to help make sharing a home feel fair, stress-free and sustainable for the long haul.

Step One: Money Conversations

Before you move in, talk about how much money you earn, how much money you spend, and what you can comfortably afford in your budget, and then decide how you want to pay for your shared expenses.

The biggest mistake couples make when moving in together is avoiding the money conversation until there's a problem.

According to ING commissioned research, the most likely financial disagreements Aussies face are with their partners, with the leading pain points being irresponsible spending, lack of a savings plan, bill splitting and mismatched savings goals. Having open conversations early on about your savings goals and spending habits is the best place to start when making the big move together. 

It's important to agree on the rent range, bond and moving costs. Also, discuss what happens if someone loses income, and what kind of lifestyle you expect at home. It’s far better to discover a financial mismatch before signing a lease. 

There's no right or wrong way. It all just depends on what works for you as a couple. I personally think if your incomes are pretty similar, 50/50 might be a good split that could work well. If your incomes are pretty different, maybe a proportional split might work better. Or, depending on the couple, you could do the "you cover this, I cover that" method.

There is no right or wrong way to split your finances. It all depends on what works for you as a couple and where you are at in your relationship. My partner Pablo and I have honestly gone through so many different ways of splitting our expenses, and now we do fully shared finances, but we didn't start that way at the beginning. It slowly evolved over time as our relationship evolved.

Step Two: Savings Goals

Create a joint savings goal and give it a number, a timeframe and a regular contribution, then track its progress together. When Pablo and I were saving for our first home, we tracked our monthly spending and turned it into a fun challenge to see who spent less. 

I think this system worked for us. The only thing that I would change is maybe adding a little treat every now and again for each new milestone that you hit, maybe going out for dinner, or a coffee or gelato or pastry, something small but meaningful. It doesn't derail your finances, but it still feels like you're enjoying yourself.

In terms of whether you choose to save in a joint or combined bank account, that’s completely up to you. A combination works well for many couples: individual accounts for personal spending and a joint account for agreed household costs and savings. Fully separate accounts can also work with a clear transfer system, while fully shared finances may suit couples who are ready for that level of commitment.*

Pablo and I now fully share our finances, but we reached that point gradually over a number of years. You definitely don’t need to combine everything straight away, just because you live together. Just like a relationship, your finances are also a work in progress. 

Step Three: Keeping Track 

A study from 2025 found that 84% of Aussies surveyed feel stressed about paying their household bills and living expenses. Getting a sense of your total budget for household bills and spending is key when deciding how you'll split household expenses. 

For everyday bills, a simple written plan or shared spreadsheet can prevent misunderstandings. Start by figuring out who pays for what, when payments are due and how you will review the arrangement. These regular check-ins are important to stop small frustrations from becoming a running scorecard.

My biggest advice is to make your system simple and visible. Work out which costs are shared, agree on how much each person contributes, and automate transfers* into a bills account if that helps. Pablo and I find it easier now that shared expenses come from joint accounts, but the best system is the one both people can understand and maintain.  

Learn more about ING here while still enjoying more of the experiences you love with the people you love along the way.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by ING and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.

*The information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial decisions, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and, where appropriate, seek professional financial advice.

Images: Supplied