Around 76% of Australian couples now choose to cohabitate before marrying, either to test the waters before marriage, to save money, or simply to be together.

Some fascinating research on cohabitation and long-term relationship success was released in the US this week. Dr Galena Rhoades, psychologist and senior researcher at the University of Denver's "Centre for Marital and Family Studies", co-authored the study. In essence, it found that if you live together before you get married, you'll have more problems later on than couples who waited.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this topic.

• If you're married now, did you live together first?
  
• Looking back, do you feel it has helped or hindered your marriage?
 
• Or did you face the question but decide against it? If so, why?
 
• If you're living together now with a partner you're not married to, feel give us a call and share your experience.

• What made you decide to live together? Has it been beneficial so far, or are there problems you didn't expect?
 
• What do you think of the research findings?Do you think cohabiting before marriage is a good idea or a bad idea?