Here's a great tip for all those guys out there looking to buy an Engagement Ring...
DON'T BUY IT!
WAIT!
Crazy advice isn't it? But trust me, there are actually a lot of good reasons why waiting is the best route to go!
1) Guys can't keep the Engagement Ring!
2) You won't need the Ring for Months or Years!
3) The longer you wait, the Cheaper it will Cost!
4) More Down Payment = Lower Monthly Payments!
5) It won't get Lost or Stolen!
6) Returns and Exchanges get Extended!
7) You may not need it at all!
Let me explain
If you buy her the Engagement Ring Today, chances are very good you'll give her the Ring Today as well! (Or very soon!)
And that's because of one important factor: Murphy's Law! Which states:
Men can't keep the Engagement Ring! (I made that up! - But it should be a law!)
Hot Potato
It's true! It's like a Hot Potato. Once guys buy the Ring, they want to instantly give it to her. A lot of times they just boil over with anxiety, lose control and thrust the Ring in her face. They know she's dying for it, so giving it to her as quickly as they can is all they can do to contain the excitement and surprise. Sadly, doing it this way only ruins that all-expected surprise which is of course, The Perfect Proposal.
I see it happen all the time. A guy will buy the Ring now and then within 2 hours she'll be coming into the Jewelry Store to get it sized. Sigh! (Not even a Movie and a Dinner?) It's true! Guys can't keep the Ring!
I tell them "If you don't really need to give her the Ring soon, then don't buy it!" There are some other great alternatives... Wait to buy it - Keep your money in your Savings Account and earn Interest!
Layaways
Or, put it into a Lay-a-way! Layaway is good if you don't want to pass up a Sale. Make payments on it until you need to get it out. After all, Layaways are Interest Free! Take advantage of them!
Layaways will allow you to either pay off the Ring before you need it, or be able to put a much bigger Down-Payment on the Ring. (What you pay into Layaway will be considered your Down Payment!) Paying more on the Rings up front means you will be charging less, and paying less Finance Charges! (And if you can go 90 days same-as-cash - Excellent!) More Down Payment will also lower your Monthly Payments and that's a huge perk!
Waiting to buy the Ring also allows you to be ultra-sure that getting hitched is right for you. Cold feet anyone? Plus, by delaying the actual purchase of the Ring, it also delays the time allowed for you to return it or exchange it. Most Jewelry Stores offer a limited 30 day or 90 day return policy. You never know, that extra couple of Weeks or Months can make all the difference in the World!
If you think about it, there are no real reasons to rush into things. (You have the rest of your life!) Even if you did rush to buy, what are you going to do with it? Pay more insurance on it? Hide it somewhere she won't find it? (Some guys lock it in their glove compartment box, which I DO NOT advise!) Are you going to have your Mom store it? Buy a Safety Deposit Box at the bank? Do you really think you'll be able to keep an Engagement Ring (worth Thousands) Safe and Secure until you need it? It's kind of a scary thing! Maybe that's why guys always give her the Ring now...???
Don't Buy it!
So I say, if you don't need it, DON'T BUY IT! It doesn't hurt to wait and you won't get stuck with it! (It could happen! - That baby isn't yours!) Waiting saves you money! It will cost you less in Insurance, Finance Charges, Monthly Payments and possibly even Late Fees! Waiting is a Win-Win situation!
Plus, if she dumps you for her ex-boyfriend (because you waited to give her the ring - ha!), then guess what? You're not out anything! Patience is a virtue!
Wait until you need the Ring. Wait until you have a plan to present it. The Perfect Proposal! It's a lot of work and planning... Another good reason to wait!
Be smart. Do the right thing! Wait until the time is right. Only then should you take the leap and buy an Engagement Ring! And believe me, after all that waiting... It better be a big one! :)
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