Where to start...

ruby_eskimo

Wishing you the best of luck in your new home together. Me and OH moved in together 2 years ago and I think we've just about got everything we need now! I'd suggest a slow cooker because it's so easy to chuck everything in and you'e got a meal waiting for you when you get home. Plus it's easy to make a few extra portions that you can freeze for a later date.

MandM90

Hi Alice,

How very exciting

I think the number one thing is to not go overboard. A roomy place can quickly feel very small when it's bursting with things you don't use! I'm a big advocate of minimalism because (in my opinion) less clutter looks better, requires less cleaning and stops silly spending.

Once you're in, and put away what you have now, you'll see how much space is left and how best to organise things. Slowly slowly is usually the best way! I'd probably advise saving pennies instead of collecting things, though buying things is fun!

I'd wait until right before moving in and shop with whoever gives you the best deal (for example MSE has a £20 off £40 Ocado shop code around). Sainsburys usually has a first customer one too. Usually you can order more than once using new customer deals under different names/email addresses - once using yours, once using your OHs.

Perhaps sit down and make a mealplan for two weeks. That'll show you what cupboard staples you'll need to start off with, so you don't end up with three year old exotic spices lurking in the back of your cupboard down the line.

What I'd lastly say, to ensure cohabiting bliss, is to make sure that you agree on how you split domestic chores and finances before moving. A chart is not very romantic, but neither is resenting the other person for not pulling their weight. My OH is happy to do whatever I ask, but often doesn't "see" mess. I hate asking him daily, so we agreed that he cleans the kitchen every day and deals with all laundry and bins, whereas I do general tidying - which he wouldn't know where to start with - and cooking. Luckily we have a cleaner too..but that's not very MSE I know

Oh, and if you're determined to be an OSer...you'll probably end up lusting after a slow cooker, so it might be best to keep an eye out for deals now

orangesmartie

Wilkinsons have very cheap (and durable) bedding sets.

When i moved into my first (and my second - bigger) place, i bought a lot of furniture from second hand/junk shops. Most of it has gradually been replaced over the years - i even sold my sofa back to the junk shop when i moved out of my second flat and into my third home (it was too big for the room). But i still have a junk shop coffee table and one of those full length swinging mirrors. I also got a rocking chair from the tip - it just needed cleaning.

If you have a BM or family bargains, or a big £ shop nearby, look in there for dish drainer/washing up liquid/washing up bowl /cleaning products etc. Some of the bigger ones do ironing boards and what not. I think mine was £20 in wilko (and has probably been used about 5 times!) I was shocked at the price of decent irons and bought a cheap supermarket one.

Depending on where you live, if you have a lot of ethnic food shops around it, particularly indian shops, they are worth shopping in for cheap herbs and spices, in far bigger packs than you get in the supermarkets. We have one local to my boyfriend's house and i try and buy all my fruit and veg there. It might be a bit 'odd shaped' and rejected by supermarkets, but it tastes as good and lasts as long. If you eat lots of rice, they have big sacks there too.

Also suggest a laundry airer/clothes horse - lidl had a fabulous one a few weeks ago for £15 lots of hanging space, so might be worth keeping an eye out.

Laundry basket - at least 2.

Muser1

Hi and good luck in your new home.

Hopefully this link works. Its £10 off a £40 spend and a free delivery pass for 12 months at Ocado.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/ocado

BOBVICK

I cannot praise freecycle highly enough. In the past 2 weeks I have picked up (for free);

2 double divan beds (near perfect condition)
1 fridge/freezer
2 lamps
A microwave oven
Table and chairs
A chaise longue which becomes a sofa bed - virtually new
A vacuum cleaner

Sign up to local groups near you. If you have more than one group like me you can use Trashnothing.com to see new postings and sort messages into Offered or Wanted (because the philosophy is to save landfill and you may have something that another person needs. It's give AND take).

Good luck.

Sophie...

Sending you wonderful wishes for your first home...
Don't buy everything as people may want to buy you gifts as a housewarming, so maybe keep a list of things other people can get you!
When you know what colour schemes you are having you can ask people for things like green cushions, pink bedding, candles etc, so leave a few luxury items to ask for gifts when offered.
Enjoy your new home & being together x

Tommo1956uk

I'm sorry! but, can I suggest you list down all of your priorities in life and rank them into a list to do.
I don't think your initial question will rank very highly. If that is the case then stop thinking about it and get on with more important things.
I do wish you well, exciting times ahead!!

gayle1

have fun on ure new adventure x
at somepoint ull need to discuss money for everthing go shopping together both of u will have different tastes.

kboss2010

Tommo1956uk wrote: »

I'm sorry! but, can I suggest you list down all of your priorities in life and rank them into a list to do.
I don't think your initial question will rank very highly. If that is the case then stop thinking about it and get on with more important things.
I do wish you well, exciting times ahead!!

Actually, I think deciding on a budget for food and choosing what you buy is quite important in a relationship.

When I first moved in with my OH, we ate vastly different types of food and it took us ages to compromise on what we both enjoyed as we couldn't afford to cook two entirely different meals each mealtime. He was also used to having cupboards stocked with expensive ingredients at home that we simply could not afford as a couple.

If you don't discuss it I bet you'll end up spending a fortune on food you never eat and buying things you don't need.