It is a tale as old as time. The relationship is wonderful, then one of you - guess who, and it isn't you - suggests moving in together. Both of you will be one big, happy slumber party!

The handbook already strongly advises against moving in together minus a ring and a wedding date. Aside from assuming a mother role and chores, here are more reasons why sharing space with a boyfriend is deleterious to your entire future:

  1. Signing a lease? The person with the higher credit score is whose name the lease is in. There is a high likelihood that person is you.
  2. Move out? You are still on the hook for the rent and/or utilities until the lease is up. And no landlord wants to be dragged into the drama.
  3. Does he own his own house? You are in a much worse situation.
    1. After 30 days, your primary address becomes his. Good luck getting your mail and packages after things sour. Can you really trust that you will get everything back?
    2. Your finances are an open book to him. Never mind him, he owns the place! As his tenant, your wallet and checkbook answers to him.
    3. You paying rent to him is additional income for him. How do you know that he isn't using your money to sock away into his personal bank accounts? He can spin any story about where your money is supposedly going. Bills? Nope, he's putting your half into his bank accounts.
  4. Be very, very aware that guys who want to play house feel that "what's yours is mine", yet very little of what is his is yours.
  5. If people borrowing your stuff without permission annoyed you before, living with Mr. Boyfriend is going to magnify this. Okay, he's not going to be borrowing your clothes, but your:

Car ---> Money (tangible cash, credit cards) ---> Anything of value to you that has unisex usage

is free game.

How do you know what his driving record is? If you wouldn't lend him your car on any other day of the week when you weren't living with each other, why would you do it now? He's going to "forget" to put gas in your car and leaves you on empty when you need it. And hey, while you're at it, he might even convince you that it is cheaper to rely on one vehicle anyway! If you've got the newer, shinier car, well, guess whose car gets all of the wear and tear now? Yours. Oh, but if you keep two cars? Guess who will be looking to you to co-sign or bankroll some proceeds for a new car for him? Him.

  1. Depending on how long you two have been living together, he becomes entitled to half of your money. Let me explain:

--> For example: Should you be in an accident and receive a settlement, he goes from being supportive to turning green with envy. Now your bank balance is way healthier than his and he is doing the mental math. Unfortunately, should you balk and let him have any usage of that money, you lose. All of a sudden, he's trying to convince you to dip into that money (trips, electronics, etc.). Should your relationship end, he is within his rights to hire a lawyer and use how much time the two of you lived together as ammunition to saying that your money was also technically his.

In short, if you didn't live together, weren't engaged, or married, he has zero entitlement. Your money is in the safest place it could ever be: Your hands.

Also, be prepared that in the event of your breakup, bill collectors begin calling you to collect on his debts.

Please feel free to add to this list. Protect your assets. Your life depends on it.