You’ve been preparing for months. You know exactly what you’re going to say and where you’re going to say it – you’re ready to ask her to marry you! You’re all set, except for one thing – you don’t have the engagement ring yet! You’re also working on a small budget, so a cheap engagement ring is what you’re looking for. However, is this even possible?
Personally I don’t like to use the word cheap when talking about an engagement ring. Instead, I like to say affordable engagement ring. Sounds a lot better doesn’t it?
When you’re on a tight budget, price has to be a consideration. You need to assess your finances and decide how much you can afford to spend on this very important purchase. Remember that this is going to be a large purchase, so be realistic.
You’ll either have to tap into your savings to pay for this purchase or save up for an engagement ring. Don’t make the mistake of spending too little – this is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make.
So set a budget that you can afford. Many people try to spend about two months salary, but that isn’t always possible. You might have a lot of other bills that you are responsible for – it simply isn’t possible for everyone to fork out that much.
That’s fine – don’t worry about it. You can find gorgeous rings at affordable prices. It’s all about getting the most for your money.
My suggestion is to have at least $1000 to spend though. Remember that this is a ring she will wear forever. It is a sign of your committment and love for her – buying it should involve some form of sacrifice. Obviously $1000 is well below the average amount spent, but it can actually take a long ways if you know what to look for.
You can go to my website to read my Diamond Buying Guide. This guide will give you a lot of great information on buying the best engagement ring while staying within your budget. My guide helps you to get the most diamond for your money.
Keep the setting simple – 14 carat white or yellow gold. When you’re on a budget, avoid spending too much on the setting – you can skip 18 carat gold or platinum. Your budget should go primarily towards the diamond itself.
For the diamond, the key is getting the biggest size rock for your pricerange. Diamonds are graded in a number of different categories – the diamond guide I put together shows you exactly what combination to go for when you’re on a budget. Without this information you will either waste a bunch of cash or get a low quality diamond.
You can find the perfect ring for that perfect girl without going broke. Remember, an affordable engagement ring is what you’re looking for – never tell her it’s a “cheap” engagement ring! 
Happy hunting!
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