During the past few weeks, my Facebook wall has been bombarded with engagement announcements and in your face photos of diamond engagement rings. It’s nice to see so many happy couples and I’m proud for each and every one of them.
My first thought is always positive like “Congratulations!” and then my second thought is usually “I wonder how much debt he went into for that ring?” Does that make me weird? Yes? Darn.
My husband and I actually lucked up when we were looking at designer engagement rings. A well known chain store was going out of business and we took full advantage of it. In the end, we walked out with over $6,000 worth of rings for less than $1,500.
We just happened to walk in on the right day and at the time, we had credit cards. *gasp* I laugh looking back. If not for those plastic cards, we would have a few less rings. But now? I don’t believe in them- the credit cards, that is. At all. I don’t even have one and I haven’t used one in 2 years.
I hate to see couples starting out in deep debt over some bling. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with a big, beautiful ring, but I think it is something that should be saved for and a thought-out purchase. If you have to buy a ring that you cannot afford in order to get a “yes” maybe you need to step back and question if you should really be popping the question at all…
Maybe I’ve been reading too much Dave Ramsey? I don’t think so, but I’m sure some would say it’s true. I do know that if at all possible, it’s best to go into a marriage without debt. The first few years of marriage can be stressful enough without adding money problems!
I know someone who asked for an upgrade twice (once immediately after she got her ring and once a very short while after the upgrade). The guys put a whole lot of their hearts and souls into picking the right ring, it just seems a travesty, to me, to even consider an upgrade request. It’s the thought…the love that counts, not the bling, I mean the ring.n Just my opinion.