1. Don't sell your TV, bedroom set or couch. Why?  Because if it doesn't work out it will cost you serious money to replace those items. Keep your things in storage for at least 6-12 months until you see how the relationship is developing.

2. Decide beforehand who will reside at the residence if the relationship falls apart. It has to be a place that only one of you can afford solo or that has a rentable room...just in case.  If you are the designated resident you don't need to add your gal to the lease. This will help you avoid being kicked out if your soon-to-be ex refuses to leave and has the legal right to do so.

3. Speaking of leases, don't let the non-lease holder leech off you by not paying their half of the rent or utilities. If your partner can't afford to live on the pre-agreed terms and dollars associated with that, then you can't affford to be in that relationship.

4. Don't go "halfsies" on furniture, TV's, or any other big-ticket items. If it doesn't work out, you will have to buy each other out on the items you purchased together. Instead, have one of you buy the couch, the other buys the new plasma TV, and that way if you break up it's clear there won't be any dispute on who gets what.

5. Make a deal that you will both review the relationship every couple months. Check in with each other to see if you're both satisfied with living together. Agree ahead of time that if one person is unhappy, one of you is willing to find other living arrangements to preserve the relationship, in case it's too much too soon for one or both of you.

If your partner is not willing to have an adult conversation about these issues or finds this negative or unromantic, then she's not ready to move in with you. Reality is an essential part of life and if people aren't willing to accept the ups and downs, relationships often go the way of the Betamax.  Dead.

Mandie Green is a writer and all-around raconteur. She currently lives in Santa Monica, CA.