Isn't this "two months' salary" engagement ring a stupid idea?

Question

Think about it: if my guy makes $24,000 a year, he spends $4,000 on a ring, which is better spend on household stuff or groceries or transportation. If he makes $240,000 a year, he spending $40,000 on a ring, which is way too much to place on one finger. Really, people, there are better ways to spend money than this! How about TWO WEEKS' salary: $480 out of $24,000, or $4,800 out of $240,000? That's still expensive, but not so backbreaking! What do you all think?

Answer 1

I don't think it is stupid...My fiance spent like 3 or 4 months salary on my engagement ring. Which was both of our ideas. Whatever you are happy with is the way to go though. If you are happy with a little chip on your finger for the rest of your life then terrific. If you want something bigger and brighter then you're going to have to fork over a little more dough. I not only wanted a decent size diamond but Nathan wanted a really high quality diamond which racked up the cost quite a bit. In a cheaper grade diamond my ring would have probably cost around 4 or 5 thousand versus the $10,000 he spent for near flawless and colorless diamonds. Like I said, get whatever is going to make both of you happy regardless of price.

Answer 2

It is another one of those general guidelines that was created by companies to guilt people into buying more than they need. The truth is that a couple should spend what ever they feel comfortable spending. There are a lot of really nice looking rings that are inexpensive. A ring is a symbol of love and that symbol is not reflective in the price paid for the ring. If it was then all the rich people would be the only ones married and they would never get divorced.

Answer 3

Exactly - i've seen too many people and guys pressured into thinking they need to buy huge rocks for their girlfriends - meanwhile - their cars are junk and their apartment rent is sky high and the rest of us have beautiful rings AND a brand new house and new jeep cause we didnt spend 10,000 on a ring!



But...then again - to each their own..but guys should realize that a ring is definitley a lifetime special gift, do their homework on it for sure but not stress that they have to go broke on it - a good rule of thumb is...if you dont have the money to outright buy the ring, then buy something else - only buy what you can buy with cash - NOT on your credit card or take out a loan. Foolish to make payments on a ring...save up for it and take your time buying it and if your girl expects you to do two months salary - dump her! hahah

Answer 4

Do you want to here something aweful? I fell in love with a ring I found in a mag that was thousands more than we had, so, we took the pic in to our local jewelers and they were able to make the same ring for under a thousand! I felt bad for doing it, but I got the ring I wanted for the price we could pay. The 2 months thing is so out of hand.

Answer 5

I agree its crazy my husband bought me a very nice engagement ring and it he didnt spend 2 months salary but to tell you the truth he could of proposed to me with a 25 cent gunmball ring and I would of said yes the only thing I wanted was to be his wife and to spend every day of my life with him the ring was just icing on the cake.

Answer 6

It is certainly not a stupid idea if you are a woman! And though it is a very stupid idea if you are a man - it is the only way he can get his money back when you send back his ring. And since Gold is at its 25 year peak - he may make a neat profit out of it. Just joking I am. Enjoy the ring if you get it and never return it Ha Ha

Answer 7

The whole thing is an advertising construction by the DeBeers Corporation to sell diamonds. It is very instructive to try to sell a diamond; most jewelers won't even touch them, let alone pay you what you paid for them. It is not a "tradition"; it's made up by a bunch if guys who want your money.



It's up to you to decide whether this is a luxury that you want to indulge in, or whether something else would be more like it.

Answer 8

I think it is totally stupid. But then again, im not very materialistic. I actually do not have an engagement ring. We used that money for a downpayment on a house. All I wear is a simple gold band. When it is true love, you don't really need all that fancy stuff.

Answer 9

The "Two Months Salary" thing is not, and never has been a "rule".

It is a sales gimmick that the DeBeers company came up with to try to bully innocent men into spending more than they were comfortable with.



It's not a "Standard" it is an advertising slogan.

Answer 10

It is a little much, but it is also for a lifetime, or is supposed to be. I would split the difference with you, 1 month's salary. The 2 month thing was initiated by jewelers I can assure you! :o)

Answer 11

First let me say....wow! Sounds like he really loves you and wants to give you something beautiful. As not to show unappriciation maybe explain that as much as you love the ring you would be just as happy with something that wont break his bank. You know he loves you and knowing that is more than a 4000.00, go together and downsize.....He may secretly think..."whew!!!, that was a close one"....just an idea.

Answer 12

It shouldn't matter how many salaries your ring is worth. You can't put a price on love. So to answer the question, yes, it's stupid.

Answer 13

Yes

Answer 14

Not essential but most people love the excuse to have money spent on them (including me). Though that does sound a bit much.

Answer 15

Check out websites for Zales or something and you'll see that the rings you would want, that don't even look big, are worth more than your house.

Answer 16

Put the money toward your life together, not a ring.

Answer 17

Yes very STUPID

Unless you have THE DONALDS money

Answer 18

it all depends. it should bewhat you can afford as well as what you want to wear.