Do you want to propose, but you’re on a tight budget? Here’s a few tips to help you maximize your savings.
If you’re ready to pop the question and are on the hunt for the perfect ring then you may want to know a few easy ways to save money. Being on a budget while shopping for a ring can be tough, especially when you have a good idea of what your partner wants but don’t have much wiggle room to work with. The average wedding band cost can be up to $3k, but many experts say you should plan your budget around 2 months of pay. Of course, this isn’t a rule that can’t be broken, your budget should be based around your needs and your comfort zone above all!
The first thing you should keep in mind when shopping for a ring is its appearance. The 4 C’s are one of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth as well as a ring that is attractive. The 4 C’s are carat, color, clarity and cut. Any jewelry store will be able to supply you information on these aspects of the ring so make sure to ask before you buy. The average wedding band cost usually rests in the C’s that are in the middle of the spectrum. This doesn’t have to turn you off though as the naked eye generally doesn’t see a difference in these elements.
Of course, there’s more to appearance than the 4 C’s. One easy way to save money on wedding bands lies in the band itself. When you choose your ring’s shank you should consider material as well as style. Yellow gold is one of the best metals to choose as it always provides you with a vintage and classy look while maintaining beauty for years to come. White gold is also a great price with its modern style, but you’ll have to do some upkeep here to keep the metal looking great which means spending money later on.
The design of the band should also be considered here. For instance, solitaire rings or solid bands make keeping your ring up to date easy. So, as time passes and your ring needs resized it will be much easier and cheaper to do. Also bands with designs along the side also make it too difficult to re-size. To avoid extra problems you should ensure that the ring size you have is correct. If you’re not sure then ask your partner’s family or friends to point you in the right direct. You could also take matters into your own hands by borrowing a ring she doesn’t wear often, making an outline of one of her rings, or slipping a ring on your finger and marking the point at which the ring stops. Show one of these items to a jeweler and you’ll be good to go.
Knowing when to shop is one of the big musts when it comes to easy ways to save money on a wedding band too. Usually during November and December you won’t have a problem finding some pretty spectacular sales. Late January to February are also ideal months to shop. Of course, many stores will hold sales throughout the year, so make sure to keep an eye out. However, you should always shop around before you make a purchase as one store’s sale is another store’s average price.
Don’t pay a tax for the luxury of buying in-store. By online and save.
Finally, knowing where to shop will help you out big time. A lot of brick and mortar stores will tell you they have the best price, but once you get past their short lived trends and expensive commercials you will probably find this to be false. Even local independent jewelers often can’t provide you with the best deal. In fact, if you decide to buy your ring from a high end store, like Tiffany’s, you’ll end up paying 72% more for your ring! Mall and chain stores aren’t doing you any favors with their whopping 40% increase either and independent jewelers tend to charge up to 18% more. Your best bet is to shop online at a jewelry store you can trust. This market is ever growing and allows you to shop around easier. Sure, a lot of vendors will tell you shopping online will force you to spend more money due to shipping but most online stores offer free shipping to customers that spend a certain amount of money, so how could you go wrong?
Shopping for a ring for your significant other doesn’t have to make you feel like a deer in the headlights. With these tips you won’t have to stress about your expenditure which will help you feel more satisfied with your purchase. Remember, the average cost of a wedding band is 2 months’ salary, so shop correctly and you’ll get a whole lot more for those two months!
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