How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

There’s really no set amount to how much a groom-to-be should spend on an engagement ring. It really depends on how much he feels comfortable spending. Traditionally, the consensus on this was that a groom should spend about two months' salary on a ring, but that’s not the case today.

As far as the style of the engagement ring, the groom can definitely decide himself without asking for a single hint, but it's common for the bride-to-be to share what kind of engagement ring she envisions should her boyfriend ask. The next step for the groom is to set a budget and start saving -- but he shouldn’t over-save, as a girl would probably rather start wearing the ring sooner than have to wait years for it.

Most importantly, the couple should be on the same page here. Be sure your expectations are shared. Aug 06, 2009