You’ve finally plucked up the courage to get down on one knee and ask the question(and pray she says yes). There’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve finally found the right person and you’re ready to commit. When you’ll decide to pop the question depends solely on you. Some couples opt for the big step after dating for six months, while others choose to wait. In fact, many couples move in together and even have children before they say: “I do.”
However, whenever you decide to propose, you need to have a ring to make it official. An engagement ring symbolizes the promise you give to your loved one, and it’s the one ring they’ll cherish forever. Most usually decide on a diamond engagement ring as, after all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Nonetheless, that best friend comes with a high price tag, and unless you’re well off, you need to plan to fit the purchase into your yearly budget.
So, if you want to learn how to leave your loved one mesmerized by the ring and still stay within the budget, stay tuned.
Put your finances in writing
When you’re aware of how much money you have at your disposal, it’ll be much easier to keep within the budget and find a ring that you’re able to afford. The best way to keep track of your finances is to put it all in writing. What do we mean by that? Well, even if you know your annual income and monthly spendings, it’s always better to write it all down as some costs will come up and ruin our planning. You can either choose to go the old-fashioned way and use a pen and paper or you can opt for any of the modern inventions to write it all down—it’s completely up to you.
However, make sure to be consistent and to write down all the costs, including your rent, overheads, the money you spend on hobbies and leisure activities, etc. Then you’ll know the amount you’re able to spend on the engagement ring. Don’t listen to those rules online, such as having to spend at least three salaries on the diamond or similar. There are many affordable options to consider and you won’t have to go bankrupt.
Consider a loan
We know what you’re thinking—isn’t taking a loan the worst thing I can do? Before you jump to conclusions, stay with us. When we say “loan”, we don’t mean the traditional loan that first comes to mind. You won’t have to go to the bank to ask for a loan and then wait for days until it’s approved. We’re talking about a completely different type of loan.
For instance, many jewelry companies have adopted the practice of allowing their customers to pawn their jewelry in order to help them when going through financial troubles.. How does this work? Well, you can put your jewelry pieces as collateral(Rolex watch, gold necklace, grandma’s old ring, etc) and use the money you receive to buy an engagement ring. If you opt for this method, make sure to find a jewelry store that offers long repayment periods so you don’t feel under pressure.
Opt for an heirloom
Finally, have you considered using an old ring that’s been in the family for decades? Many families have the tradition of passing meaningful jewelry pieces from generation to generation, so maybe you already have a ring you can use. If you’re not sure, ask your closest relatives or check the jewelry box you have at home.
If the ring is in poor condition, you can always get it cleaned and polished to return its original sparkle. Plus, to make the ring truly unique, you can get it customized and engrave something special. For example, you could engrave your loved one’s nickname or the beginning letter of their name. Maybe you could also engrave the date of your anniversary or any other date that’s important to both of you.
