No, you shouldn't. Spending money you don't have on a ring would prove to me you're not financially stable or sensible enough to marry.
Here's why engagement rings are a BIG THING now.
"We'll have to go some 75 years back. Around the 1940s, de Beers (enormous company that at one point owned 85% of the diamond market, from mining to retail stores) launched a brilliant ad campaign that equated a diamond with love. This gave birth to the modern diamond engagement ring phenomenon. (Source: https://www.creditdonkey.com/history-engagement-ring.html)"
We've been had - again - by marketing.
It makes no sense to buy a ring when it may mean rent money will be tight and you'll worry about groceries. De Beers doesn't need your money. You and your love do.
Do the best you can , later on you can get her a bigger one or something else. Many woman just want the ring for what it means not it’s monetary value . Really there are women like that 😃
@Driver2 True. I wouldn’t consider myself engaged without the ring nor would I worry about paying for a wedding for my kids because without the ring there’s no true intention. Just my opinion.
Many have bought their intended a simple band (and/or a band with a small diamond). Then as time passes and you become more affluent, you can surprise her on Valentine's Day or your anniversary with a MUCH LARGER rock.
Then again, you may find over time that jewelry just isn't her thing..... rare, but happens..
