How much should a man spend on an engagement ring?

[Anonymous]

If my DH had spent more than 1 month's salary on my ring I would be furious. That is just not a sound financial decision. Sorry OP but you have a child now. Priorities. If you want a big ring, get a CZ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Borrowed from 401k; and repaying without interest. Really helpful option when not wanting to do traditional payment plan through a jeweler or put it on a credit card. Had the savings but wanted to keep that nest egg. Ring was $20K.

Ok, op, do NOT borrow from a 401k to buy a 20,000 dollar ring!

OP here. Lol yeah I don't even want a $20,000 ring. That's a car!! But to each his own. I'm sure it's gorgeous!

Yeah, I'm not. I've never seen one that simply strikes me as a nice piece of jewelry. I always assume the bigger the diamond, the smaller the DH's dick. And you always see them on women wearing casual or business attire, but it's just such a formal piece of jewelry so it looks dumb.

[Anonymous]

We did $15k but we didn't make that much back (only 150k) then. I did find a very good deal and bought slightly under 2 carats but it was a cut that looked larger so it was a win over all. I recommend buying slightly smaller than your targeted size to save money, no one will know the difference.

[Anonymous]

Our large ring increased in value over the last 10 years so it was a win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my BF spent 3 months of salary on a ring I would not marry him cause that would mean he is a moron. Take that money and go on a nice memorable trip. A ring is just a ring... I like the birth stone & etsy ideas from PPs.

A trip can be argued as a moron investment. At least the ring will have monetary value and appreciate in price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$0. It's a stupid waste of money for a generally tacky piece of jewelry. Especially if you have a kid, OP. If your relationship really means anything (and christ, after having a kid with this guy you still think you need a superficial bauble?) then skip it.

You're right. I really considered just not having a ring at all (or get something cheap lol) but I was just curious as to what others did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my BF spent 3 months of salary on a ring I would not marry him cause that would mean he is a moron. Take that money and go on a nice memorable trip. A ring is just a ring... I like the birth stone & etsy ideas from PPs.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my BF spent 3 months of salary on a ring I would not marry him cause that would mean he is a moron. Take that money and go on a nice memorable trip. A ring is just a ring... I like the birth stone & etsy ideas from PPs.

A trip can be argued as a moron investment. At least the ring will have monetary value and appreciate in price.

Heh, really? Anyone sold their engagement ring for what they paid for it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, you make a good point. OP here. I also want to ask, did you guys finance or purchase up front? Purchasing up front seems to make more sense to me but I'm curious as to what others did.

No to finance!!! If he can afford only a smaller ring than get that. Just get what you can afford. You can always get an upgrade onthe diamond if that is what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$0. It's a stupid waste of money for a generally tacky piece of jewelry. Especially if you have a kid, OP. If your relationship really means anything (and christ, after having a kid with this guy you still think you need a superficial bauble?) then skip it.

You're right. I really considered just not having a ring at all (or get something cheap lol) but I was just curious as to what others did.

The having a kid does not mean you are less deserving of a ring. Just don't overspend because you have other priorities.

[Anonymous]

I think mine was about $1200 years ago. It probably was about 2 months rent as a guide. But we were in grad school and definitely no kid. If we had a kid we definitely would have skipped the ring. It seemed like a necessary symbol back when I was 25, but as a parent it would have seemed like a crazy purchase at your income level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think mine was about $1200 years ago. It probably was about 2 months rent as a guide. But we were in grad school and definitely no kid. If we had a kid we definitely would have skipped the ring. It seemed like a necessary symbol back when I was 25, but as a parent it would have seemed like a crazy purchase at your income level.

Probably should clarify that the rent was for a tiny studio apartment in a transitional area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my BF spent 3 months of salary on a ring I would not marry him cause that would mean he is a moron. Take that money and go on a nice memorable trip. A ring is just a ring... I like the birth stone & etsy ideas from PPs.

A trip can be argued as a moron investment. At least the ring will have monetary value and appreciate in price.

Heh, really? Anyone sold their engagement ring for what they paid for it?

Well at least there is some value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only buy what you can afford to pay in cash. Don't finance a ring.

Yes, this!

There are things you'll have to finance - a house; maybe the child's college education.

This is just a hunk of metal and a rock with an arbitrarily assigned social value.

Buy only what you can pay for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my BF spent 3 months of salary on a ring I would not marry him cause that would mean he is a moron. Take that money and go on a nice memorable trip. A ring is just a ring... I like the birth stone & etsy ideas from PPs.

A trip can be argued as a moron investment. At least the ring will have monetary value and appreciate in price.

Heh, really? Anyone sold their engagement ring for what they paid for it?

Well at least there is some value.

The best value for a diamond is a resale from a divorce, or a pawn shop. Because it's impossible to get what you paid for an engagement ring, unless you initially got a steal for it.