getting hitched?, Need some ladies advice here Options

[Rayme]

I'm at that point in life wherw me and the GF talks more and more about marriage. I don't have a problem with it I love her. But my main concern is all that is money related wise..specially the "stone".

To put things in perspective, we have 2 relatively new cars and a house, all which are not paied, I make under 30 000$ a year, she makes about 15% more than me annualy.

Cliff note, the girl wants a ring that is about 2000$+, she has that way of saying afford what you can but I'll be sad and disapointed if I get a 400$ ring.

Oh and by the way, I got the reputation of being cheap. That's the way I can afford a WRX with my salary, no really. I want to make sure that everyone knows I'm hovering the "paycheck to paycheck" situation.

Why does getting married be a money issue? Girls are so brainwashed into that one fairy tales day in their life. I'll say right now I'd like to get a cheaper ring and actually use that saved money toward something more practical. Her day is being added to the pressure saying a man should spend 2 months salary on a ring..yea thats like 4000$ or 80$ a month for 4 years. Actually I investigated that thought and found it to be a marketing ploy by a diamond company so I dont think much of it anymore.

Am I being cheap talking like that? I spent the 2 last years getting out of debt..I refuse to be slave to money problems. And then we have all those project..which would eventually be more $ spent..

need counseling

[supershannon77]

If you are ready to marry her why not get the ring you can afford now you can always buy a different ring when you are more stable or have a different stone set in.

Me being a women I do wish to have everything perfect so its something im more then willing to wait for until my life is ready to take that next step. I think both me and my bf know that we are right for each other but waiting for our lifes to be in place is what is important since we are so young.

I mean everyone is different but I do feel that most of us women want to be able to brag about how great our bf is bc he planned a romantic evening and give me this beautiful ring. When in reality its not about all that its about how you feel for each other and take care of each other that makes all the difference.

Im gonna keep ranting here....

This is what I dream of...I go and visit my grandfather and grandmother and my grandmother is not in good health and all my grandfather does is live for my grandmother he has everything set for her...if she calls him he runs to see what she needs..he just honestly whole heartedly loves her and that is how I wish my life would be...

I guess all I am saying is the ring is just a symbol of ur love its not you loving her is just a way to say I do love you..whats most important imo is how you go about showing ur love there on out.