I have been dating my girlfriend for 2+ years now and its getting around that time to buy the engagment ring. Both my family and her family are "eagerly" waiting for me to pop the question, etc. The thing is that I simply dont have the funding yet. I want to buy a $2500-3000 piece of Jewlery and so far I have saved about $800 of it. I dont want to have to goto my parents to "borrow" the money just to buy the ring faster. Any suggestions. etc.? Also my gross income is around $25K a year. (am I spending too much on the ring...honestly?)
2007-07-28 01:07:47 · 30 answers · asked by bluenote12482 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
You could get financing for the rest of the balance. The cost is something you have to decide.
2007-07-28 01:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by the_wayward1 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
first of all, remember that the ring is the first of the expenses when it comes to getting married. now for your question, see if your mom has a diamond from a piece of jewelry she doesnt wear anymore, or your grandma or someone else in your family that you are close to, this will make the ring a lot cheaper and a lot more special to your girlfriend. also, most jewelers know that people dont have an extra $2500-3000 laying around and they have payment plans, most have no interest for 6 months some, even a year so you can make payments without having to pay interest. I dont know if there is a Goodman's where you live but i know they always have sales and if they see that you are young and in love they might give you a price break and they are one of the few companies that has one year no interest financing. Good Luck!
2007-07-28 10:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by flutterflie04 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are smart not to want to "borrow" money for this purchase. You have a good start to the purchase of a nice ring. There will be many things to borrow money for later.
How did you arrive at the $2500-3000 range? Is this the range of a ring she saw and has her heart set on? Has she mentioned a particular cut and carat size that would be this expensive?
An engagement ring in this price range would be a very showy ring! And I am sure you want her to have the best. But I think you have a good start to a lovely ring. Start shopping and see what you can buy with $800. I think you will be surprised and happy with what you find.
Remember, if you become engaged soon, you will working to help pay for a wedding--eventhough the grooms expenses are not as much as the brides--and of course a honeymoon! Then you will need to start housekeeping. Starting a marriage without going into debt would be a fantastic way to start your life together.
If you still want to purchase a ring in the range you have above, you can for an anniversary. Then you will not have the expenses that you have now, plus you will have progressed in your career and your salary will be higher.
Congrats and Best Wishes!
2007-07-28 08:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Patty O 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think for your salary, yes, you want to spend too much. To be honest, if this is the right girl, she won't care if all you can afford is a simple band. If YOU want to propose right now and don't want to wait, I would suggest you go buy a diamond band. The band I have is very pretty and only cost around $500 I think. I also have an engagement ring that's gorgeous but you can get that for your gf a little later. But be sure you're proposing for the right reasons. I didn't hear anything in your description about how much YOU loved her, how you can't imagine your life without her, etc.....those are reasons to get married. The only thing you mentioned was that it's been over 2 years so it's getting "that time" and that both families expect it. Sweetie, those aren't reasons to get married. Only do it if you truly feel like it's RIGHT.
2007-07-28 10:13:23 · answer #4 · answered by bestadvicechick 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The rule of thumb way back when was the ring shouldn't cost more than three months of your salary so you might be shooting a bit high.
You could get a very nice diamond ring for what you have saved right now. Platinum requires just as much maintenance as white gold so get her the white gold setting. Don't forget that around the holiday's most stores have huge discounts on their jewelry. You could probably get her a 1 carat good quaility with what you have now shopping sales.
Or, if you think your girl might be up to it you can do what my HTB and I did. My engagement ring is white and blue sapphires, it has the same look and hardness of diamonds without the huge markup. Then again I prefer gemstones over diamonds anyway.
Take more time to save if it's important to you to get her the big rock, just remember that it's not about the price tag on the ring, it's about the love behind it.
2007-07-28 09:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by pspoptart 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
How much can you save a month ? Some people living expenses are much more than others. Do not go into debt, because once you become engaged, you may need to save for the wedding or the honeymoon, wedding bands, and then a home.
I think it took me 2 months to find a ring from when I first started looking. Add 2 months savings to your $800, and use that as your price range.
2007-07-28 08:58:35 · answer #6 · answered by no_frills 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could finance, but why not get something you can afford. Typically the groom spends 2 months pay on the bride's ring, but that is not true for everyone. Why does the ring need to be big and fancy? Pop the question but do it with a ring you can afford.
2007-07-28 13:22:19 · answer #7 · answered by Pineapple Princess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a lot of money for a ring, especially considering your income. You should try to find something more affordable...at least for now. Shop around and try to find some sales. It's possible that you could find a really good deal. You could always get her the ring you want to get her in a couple of years when you are making more money.
2007-07-28 11:28:31 · answer #8 · answered by Kim C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For $25K a year, I think your price range is a bit ambitious.
Don't let the family pressure you into this. Do it when you are ready, not before.
Have you gone to look at rings at all or are you going simply on price? There are a lot or pieces out there that cost lest but are just as beautiful. You could check into financing as well, but be careful it is an amount you can afford
2007-07-28 09:00:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no reason to get a more expensive ring, at all. Not all women have rings that pricey. You can get a totally beautiful ring with even less than the amount you have already saved! A mature woman understands the symbolism of the ring, and just wants the question asked!
Start looking within your current savings price range.
2007-07-28 08:32:25 · answer #10 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know there is a specific "formula" as to how much you are supposed to spend on an engagement ring, but with today's prices and the high costs of living, it just does not make sense, to me, to spend a fortune on a ring. Buy a less expensive ring and then concentrate on saving your money for wedding expenses or toward your life together after the wedding. The true "price" of the ring is what's in your heart, not what's in your wallet.
2007-07-28 08:17:29 · answer #11 · answered by cynjo59 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋