The two-month rule: did they or didn''t they?

[diamondfan]

Mine spent a bit more, but I think that rule is not really used much anymore. It can serve as a guideline but it may or may not work.

 

[ringster]

i think most guys - not all but most - like having some sort of formula to go by. this way they know what rules the other guys are going by and they can make the quick calculation, pop into the store and buy it - all in one afternoon.

my FI would have just went to the store and based on his budget, would have pointed to one and be done with it all in 15 min - i know cause i asked him what he would have done if i didn't get to pick my ring (i was curious how much research he would have done)

. so i think the de beers "formula" catches on because it makes it simpler for the guys who are generally doing the buying. not that is right and that people should "buy" into it.

 

[vslover]

Date: 4/17/2008 2:57:14 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
That marketing effort must be directly targeted at men--they catch them in their most vulnerable state (i.e. trying to make their gfs happy) and play on their insecurites about not buying something ''good'' enough. I hate that men have to feel that way about something so personal between two people in a relationship.


Women are much too pragmatic for that crap.


When I thought about an e-ring budget, I never even thought about his salary--I ONLY thought about savings. Specifically joint savings, though when I told DH that I wanted all of our rings to come out of our joint account, to which we contribute equally, he wasn''t into my untraditional idea. Despite me really holding onto the symbolism of us paying equally (isn''t that what marriage is about??), I didn''t want to tread on something that was obviously important to him.

I hope marriage isn''t about people paying equally. lol

 

[Kay]

I think it is all relative to your salary, savings and debt levels -- no one should spend more than they can afford because of a marketing campaign. I joked with DH about the 2-month rule, and he would have done it, but I was horrified about spending that much on a single piece of jewelry. I picked out a ring I love that cost about 2 weeks salary.

 

[BigDiamonds]

Well, based on his salary alone, he spent WAAAAAY more. He''s in grad school right now, so he''s only working part time.

But since I''m a brat, we decided to start at two months of my salary. That seemed like kind of a lot to us, so we aimed a bit lower. Then during the course of ring shopping I got a $20k raise, so we ended up with something signficantly less than two months. However, we spent about as much as we felt comfortable with, so that was the right answer for us.

Funny enough, we bought it with the idea that I would upgrade some day. Now that I have it and love it, I think I would rather spend that money on other, new pieces like larger studs and a nice pendant. I don''t want to have a huge rock on my finger but nothing else in the collection. Of course, we''ll see how things actually pan out when the time comes. I have been known to forget everything when faced with a big sparkly!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 4/17/2008 9:51:29 PM
Author: vslover

Date: 4/17/2008 2:57:14 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
That marketing effort must be directly targeted at men--they catch them in their most vulnerable state (i.e. trying to make their gfs happy) and play on their insecurites about not buying something ''good'' enough. I hate that men have to feel that way about something so personal between two people in a relationship.


Women are much too pragmatic for that crap.


When I thought about an e-ring budget, I never even thought about his salary--I ONLY thought about savings. Specifically joint savings, though when I told DH that I wanted all of our rings to come out of our joint account, to which we contribute equally, he wasn''t into my untraditional idea. Despite me really holding onto the symbolism of us paying equally (isn''t that what marriage is about??), I didn''t want to tread on something that was obviously important to him.

I hope marriage isn''t about people paying equally. lol

Haha, maybe it''s just mine...I can''t quite let go of that one...

 

[Diamond*Dana]

My DH and I never discussed what to spend on my ring and I certainly was not going to allow De Beers to tell us what we should spend! We have been married 11 years now, and I still don''t really know what he spent on my ring.

 

[vslover]

Date: 4/17/2008 11:35:18 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady

Date: 4/17/2008 9:51:29 PM

Author: vslover

Date: 4/17/2008 2:57:14 PM

Author: NewEnglandLady

That marketing effort must be directly targeted at men--they catch them in their most vulnerable state (i.e. trying to make their gfs happy) and play on their insecurites about not buying something ''good'' enough. I hate that men have to feel that way about something so personal between two people in a relationship.



Women are much too pragmatic for that crap.



When I thought about an e-ring budget, I never even thought about his salary--I ONLY thought about savings. Specifically joint savings, though when I told DH that I wanted all of our rings to come out of our joint account, to which we contribute equally, he wasn''t into my untraditional idea. Despite me really holding onto the symbolism of us paying equally (isn''t that what marriage is about??), I didn''t want to tread on something that was obviously important to him.

I hope marriage isn''t about people paying equally. lol

Haha, maybe it''s just mine...I can''t quite let go of that one...

It''s possible a lot of people feel that way...but I haven''t worked since DH and I got married...so I know he doesn''t feel like that. lol

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Absolutely--each relationship is different, not only with things like the e-ring budget, but also with the roles we play in the relationship. I told DH long before we were engaged that I wasn''t looking for a provider, what I wanted was a partner. We split the bills, the chores, the etc. Naturally I can''t control that he makes more money than I, but I am still adamant that we split all expenses equally. In the end, I''m aware that it doesn''t REALLY matter because we''d put the same amount into savings whether I pay for my half or not (if he paid it all I''d just stick my salary in savings), but DH stopped trying to get me to stop paying half a long time ago. You just have to find what works for you!!