Shackin' Up

When it comes time to propose, you want to make sure that you know as much about your partner as you possibly can. An increasing number of young couples are doing this by living together before making the decision to walk down the aisle.

Although "shacking up" is becoming a commonplace event—the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau revealed that 41% of American women ages 15-44 have lived with an unmarried, opposite-sex partner at one point—couples may still face doubts, questions or uncertainty from family and friends.

"You have to understand where other people are coming from, too," says Elena Donovan Mauer, co-author of The Good Girl's Guide to Living in Sin: The New Rules for Moving in With Your Man. "For a really long time, it was considered taboo to live with someone you aren't married to."

If you think that living with your partner is an important step for your relationship, then talk to the people close to you and explain why. They may have their misgivings, but it's only because they don't want to see you get hurt.

Are you planning on moving in with your partner before you decide if you want to propose? What sort of advice have you been receiving? [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]