I'm planning on proposing to my girlfriend, and I'm starting to look for a diamond engagement ring. My friends said that it's expected that a guy spend two months salary on the engagement ring. Is this true?

There is a myth out there, yes, that you should spend two months salary on a diamond for your partner. Where did this myth originate? Marketing! Its been rerun over and over again in campaigns to get you to spend your money. Most of the time, it goes something like this: "Isn't she worth two month's salary?". Let me put this straight. Money and love should never be confused. You can't compare the amount you love your partner to the size of the diamond or the cost of the diamond. But even if we break this myth down logically, well, it just isn't logical! If you make $200,000 a year, you are expected to spend $33,000 on a ring! If you make $40,000 a year, you're expected to pay $6,600; if you are making $20,000 a year, you should spend $3,300; and if you are living below poverty level and are making, lets say, $11,000 a year...you are apparently supposed to spend $1,800 on an engagement ring. This makes absolutely NO SENSE! I say, buy the ring you thing fits here character and your budget. Forget the myths and tell your friends they need to buy a calculator.

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