[MandieD]

Dude, I had to talk my now-husband down from dropping two months' pay on a pretty sparkly. I’m so glad he didn’t surprise me with one - we were able to get something that I love wearing and feel less self-conscious about.

Suggested spending guideline: if you’re well off, spend about what you would on what you’d consider to be a great but not ridiculous gaming rig on her engagement present, and make sure she wouldn’t rather have a great gaming rig, sewing machine, musical instrument, etc. than a ring.

Addendum: I was later upset when he sold all his stocks during the 2008 crash because he thought he’d need the cash for our wedding - the wedding my parents were happily paying for, because Texas. A little more communication on both our parts would have prevented that loss.