There is a very simple answer to this question – buy a cheap engagement ring, buy a cheap wedding ring, only have the kind of wedding you can afford without going into debt. The reason is simple – money is the number one cause of divorce in the country, or truer to say, the stress caused by money worries is the real, underlying cause.

The sad fact of our modern lives is that we live in a consumerist society which believes that credit is “free”, or at least we did up until the global financial meltdown in 2009. The biggest recession since the Great Depression of the 1920’s, one in 26 homes repossessed in Florida alone, job insecurity, worries about meeting the house and car payments and all the “good” stuff that goes with adverse economic conditions.

After all that, people have woken up to the excellent notion that it is not a “good thing” to start married life saddled with debt!

That is a dose of healthy realism for you, but now for some good news.

A cheap engagement ring is not necessarily “cheap”.

Jewelers have been suffering in this recession in the same way as every other part of the economy and it is not unusual to find some fantastic deals from retailers.

In some instances, jewelry retailers are offering 90% off their normal retail pricing and it is not uncommon to find half or two-thirds reductions in normal cost.

Suddenly, that $3,000 engagement ring is around the $1,000 level and that becomes an entirely different financial proposition. Right now, the jewelry market is a buyer’s market which means you can buy a cheap engagement ring which a year ago would have cost you triple or more. Some people may say that paying “only” $1,000 means it is a “cheap engagement ring”, but the reality is that if it is marked down from $3,000 then it certainly is not cheap quality!

Shopping around and hunting for a bargain is not “cheap” in any shape or form. Take your time when it comes to buying a ring, and especially make the maximum use of the internet to perform your research.

There is one sting in the tail for all this advice to go and buy an engagement ring which represents good value (that sounds much better than saying a cheap engagement ring!) – beware of the unscrupulous retailer.

With pressure on many retailers to maintain sales revenues and their profit levels, the market has become increasingly prone to sub-standard materials being used in the crafting of jewelry pieces, including rings. You should find a retailer who you trust to do business with and certainly one which is prepared to help you understand what the issues are with, for instance, selecting a quality diamond.

The best advice for prospective buyers is to shop around widely, use the internet and then short-list potential retailers and see who gives you the very best service and advice. Remember, your “cheap engagement ring” does not need to be cheap, and in any event, it is better to start married life without a credit card bill to repay!

Author Bio: Lawrence Reaves found that the best place to buy cheap engagement rings and discount engagement rings is Danforth Diamond.

Category: Relationships
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