Hey so I'm thinking about proposing to my girlfreind in the next month or two. So what does someone usually spend on a ring to not be considered a cheapass? I talked to a lady at the lewlery store and she told me 1500+ so If i were to get a ring for 2g's do they offer payment plans or anything? Anyone who knows anything about this help me out.

I used to hear ads for engagement rings suggesting two months' salary as a good standard. Of course, these were advertisements by people who would love to have guys overspend on this type of item, but even if you chop that in half, it's a month's pay. $1500 is one month for someone who makes $18k a year.

Above all else, don't spend more than you're going to mind losing if things go south.

quote:Originally posted by Psychotogen:

Hey so I'm thinking about proposing to my girlfreind in the next month or two. So what does someone usually spend on a ring to not be considered a cheapass? I talked to a lady at the lewlery store and she told me 1500+ so If i were to get a ring for 2g's do they offer payment plans or anything? Anyone who knows anything about this help me out.

yes they finance ( or they should) go to a pawn shop, or does your family have a family ring? Its a little god damn sparkley thing, I dont know much about rings but i bet you could find a better deal. EBAY. actually i think my mom is selling hers, ( email me if u are intrested) I can probably hook you up pretty cheap.

[This message has been edited by bushy (edited 03-12-2004).]

Yea 2 months salary sounds about right. I heard bad things about buying rings on the internet though. And as for buying your moms ring, my gf is very perticular. I Need a small platinum/white gold w/ 2 tanzanite rocks and a diamond in the middle. That is my ideal ring where i will get the BIGGEST KISS IN THE WORLD.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT, FOR AN ENGAGMENT RING!?!?!?! damn you better get a pretty big god damn kiss. hopeffully in the universe. DAMN

Tradition used to dictate that a man would save up an amount of six months' salary to buy an engagement ring.

Of course, this was before some 'temporary wartime measures' like income tax. So we're not sure what they mean, exactly. 'Could therefore be three months' gross, six months' net, six months' gross, or twelve months' net.

I guess that they figured you really, really, really cared for the lady in question. Or that if you the sort of guy who was living from paycheque to paycheque, that she'd get bored after waiting 10 years for you to put aside that much cash and surrender her affections to another suitor. Fathers 'looking out for' their daughters and all that.

If you consider, nowadays, that some courtships only last for six months (and some even less), then this would seem a little unreasonable. After all, with what could you offer to pay for dinner (or pay your rent, for that matter) if you are impoverished by saving for a ring?

So modern wisdom, if you can believe in such a thing, says that one, two, or three months' salary (gross or net -- your pick) is acceptable.

This can range from $1000 for minimum-wage earners, to over $25000 for doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other really capital-intensive employees.

Have a look here for some more tips:

http://money.msn.co.uk/life_events/gettingmarried/insight/tipsguides/engagementrings/default.asp

spend absolutely nothing. marriage isnt supposed to be about finances right?

I still haven't heard a...

CONGRATS!

quote:Originally posted by Psychotogen:

And as for buying your moms ring, my gf is very perticular. I Need a small platinum/white gold w/ 2 tanzanite rocks and a diamond in the middle.

HAH. Good luck with that. Those are super hard to find, and cost like... 5 arms and a leg. And you girlfriend is not "particular" she's insane. How much you spend on the ring shouldn't matter. What matters is how much you love her. And all that other crap.

$25 http://www.johnsonsmith.com/website/store/product_detail.asp?UID=2004031218492577&item_no=6417+06&keyword=puzzle+ring&cat_keyword=&search_page_no=1

[This message has been edited by Lazzaro (edited 03-12-2004).]

I would say you are about right in spending 2 grand on a ring. However, if you can get the exact ring she described for 1500, that is still fine. If it is going to cost you 3 grand, it is worth the extra time you'll have to work to pay it off. She only gets one engagement ring (hopefully), so if it is possible (if its going to be too expensive, there's not much you can do), make it exactly what she would want.

Most jewelry stores do finance, and most will do it x months same as cash. PAY IT OFF WITHIN THOSE MONTHS! The interest rates are around 28% on most retail store credit cards.

I don't suggest you go to a pawn shop or buy it from someone unless she absolutely falls in love with a vintage (for gods sake dont call it used) ring. That will send her into a fit of rage when she finds out (and believe me she will).

Congrats and good luck!

Buy a cheapo ring and instead put that cash toward something useful like a car, house, or vacation. Stop giving De Beers your hard earned cash for a silly rock.

quote:Originally posted by met_B_A_N_S:

I still haven't heard a...

CONGRATS!



yeah but he hasnt proposed DUH!!!

oh eyah go to debeers, They have these cool rings that you get her on and on the left it says we ( in the middle of th band) and they she can buy her own and they say me. Its really cool since a lot of girls are buying rings for themselves. thats supposed to be the new trend in wedding bands this mext few years.

Give her a ring out of a Cracker Jack box and take her shopping later.

Seriously, if she's that fucking picky about something you're spending *months* of loot on, you have no chance on your own.

quote:Originally posted by Spiffy McBang:

I used to hear ads for engagement rings suggesting two months' salary as a good standard.

Whom ever had that idea should be shot!

quote:Originally posted by the meth god:

Whom ever had that idea should be shot!

why?

Hate to point out the obvious, but it depends on how much you make and how hot she is.