I am broke, but would like to ask my girlfriend to marry me. How should I go about that without a ring?

Question

We have been together in some form or another for the past 3 years. Currently I'm living in a different city, and she is planning on moving down next spring. I know that she wants a commitment, and believe I'm ready to give her that. Except financially, which is a big part of it. What are some ideas for having both a romantic and frugal proposal?

Answer 1

Doesn't sound like a real bright idea, Dude.

Answer 2

My fiance asked me without a ring. I accepted. I didn't like diamonds and we were both poor college students. He then saved up money and got me a ring later since out engagement is lasting longer than we both planned lol. Either way I said YES with no ring and she can too. Just get down on one knee and tell her how you feel. Trust me it was no more special when he proposed with the ring at least for me it wasn't

Answer 3

The ring doesnt always have to be some glitzy diamond... SOme gals are in to the semtimental value...and dont let her pick the ring its so much more special when you pick it...You also dont always have to propose with a ring... and then buy an engagment ring when you are more financialy ready.

Answer 4

Do it with a ring. There has to be some way you can come up with $100.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N62HIO/ref=...

For me, I loved my husband's proposal. It was a surprise, and it was just the two of us.

Answer 5

i know its super cheesy but you can make your broke situation sooo romantic easily.. like you can do something romantic and casual n walk with her n run into a gumball machine with rings n then for fun get one n then propose she cant find that super sweet and romantic n then tell her that whn you can get the $ u will give her a real one bt that its the sintiment and the meaning of the ring not the value.. you kno..

Answer 6

dude  if you want her bad enough  stop the excuses and find a ring

Answer 7

Um, I would save for a ring, its like tradition across the world...

Answer 8

Go to Claire's at the mall and buy a $5.00 ring. I'm sure they have some that look like an engagement ring.

Then propose... But be sure she knows up front that it's a fake, cheap ring, because that's all you could afford, but being engaged meant so much to you that you didnt' want to wait anymore.

And start saving now for a ring. Don't let her know about it. Whatever you can afford. $25 a paycheck would be a good amount to set aside. If you get paid bi-weekly, that's $50 a month... Then after 6 months, you'd have $300, which could probably buy a decent ring for her to keep forever and that won't turn her finger green. :) Then suprise her with that one day out of the blue. :)

Answer 9

Get the box, propose with that, then have her with you to pick out the ring, then make a down payment on it, and get a payment plan going on with the jewler.

Answer 10

find cheep rings on the web. Or find one in the newspaper you can get it resized. Heck ask your family if anyone has a spare ring. I'm sure they can hook you up.

Answer 11

Save for a ring!

Most girls have this romantic idea that they will be proposed to, and there will be a ring. Find a way!  It will be worth it!

Answer 12

My husband did it with a nice walk through the park, what's more frugal than that? You can probably find a ring in your family somewhere. Your mom, an aunt, or anyone who would be willing to help you out, it then has more value in a sentimental way. Good luck.

Answer 13

You dont need a fancy ring. Any ring- as long as it comes from you with honest intentions- will be worth more than gold to her. Afterall you can always upgrade later on when more financially secure.  I would take her to the most beautiful nature setting near you and ask her while on a nice walk. Good luck!

Answer 14

You can always get a nice cubic zirconium ring, and switch it out later. You can find one of those for the price of a few gallons of gas, so no excuses!

Tell her, "I don't have much right now, but what I have I'd like to share with you, forever".

Answer 15

two months pay can get you a stunning love story diamond ring .......... ever listen to these commercials they have financing

Answer 16

Well, usually couples that are real close can wait on the ring thing. My roomate suggested what I thought was a proposterous idea. He said that if he is going to propose to a girl, he will do so, then take her out and let her choose the ring.

He said this when I was buying a ring for a girl I had not even dated yet. He told me she should be able to choose the ring.

Answer 17

man....please at the very least ....do....I mean DO have a ring at least to give and offer.....and another thing.....''get a job"...then see about the marriage thing..ok.

Answer 18

My husband was a true romantic..... Before he proposed to me on a bended knee  ...he went to my father and asked for my hand in marriage first. .... my father then told me what he had asked and he asked me if I wanted to marry him and gave me the talk of the sanctity and commitment of a marriage  and of course I told my dad YES YES YES... My father then called him and said he would agree to the marriage.... I never talked to him directly about the proposal when he came to my house  and proposed on a bended knee asking me to marry him in front of my parents.  He placed a simple band  ( he called it a cigar band) on my finger as a temporary ring until we went together to buy the wedding sets together.   We did.  I wore the engagement ring he wore his wedding band as his engagement ring until the day we were officially married . Our blessed union lasted for 35 years in which I am now his widow.

8-7-08 is our 37 th wedding anniversary  I still wear the rings as a symbol of the 35 years of memories that began with his romantic frugal  marriage proposal that sweep me off my feet.

If the father lives to far away a telephone call to him asking for her hand in marriage would work especially if you surprise her and do it in front of her without telling her why you want to talk to her dad about.  Promise you will melt her heart. She will never forget. Good luck to you both.

Answer 19

i in theology classes, theyve taught us that money is one of the biggest issues of a marriage.  You both should make sure that maybe spending money on a ring isnt something that is in the highest value.  Being a girl, as long as maybe were in a romantic place, like out under some lights at night or something, it doesnt matter how nice the ring is, it could be a fake diamond one from claires but its the person that matters.  Im sure that everything will work out fine and then maybe for the actual wedding rings, you can both agree to save:] good luck and hope everything is amazing:]

Answer 20

Kinda depends on your girlfriend.  To me, the love of a wonderful person is a lot more important than a diamond ring, and I wouldn't want someone to feel like they have to buy me jewelery and stress over it.  But then I know some women who feel that until a guy has his ducks lined up and can afford to buy her that shiny rock, she's not going to take a proposal seriously.    You're the one who knows her.

Depending on what you mean by broke, you might want to consider some sort of jewelery object other than the classic gold ring with a diamond to give her as a token.  Back when I was a poor student getting engaged to another poor student, we bought each other 10 karat gold rings, which only cost $100 each.

Edit: I like the idea of scrounging for a ring that's been in the family.  That's a smart one too.

Answer 21

The commitment is the real issue, so if you are definitely serious then propose.  A park, a beach, a favorite place.

Start saving for a ring if it's that important to both of you.  But until then get something like this or even a plain band that she can wear.

These rings are sturdy and attractive, but aren't going to last a lifetime.  I bought one to use under extreme non-ministering working conditions  (drum tech) so I don't ruin my real one.  

http://www.jewelrypayless.com/sterling-s...

In fact, this is the one I purchased

http://www.jewelrypayless.com/Sterling-S...

Answer 22

ok you can do it with out the ring (yes i am female and yes i did say that) if it is that important to you...ask... all she can do is say no but to be honest i am not materialistic and i would rather the perfect moment with my soon to be husband rather than some fancy propsal and a big ring. tell her how much she means to you and that you want to be with her forever, if she loves you then she will not care.

Answer 23

What is more important right now, the actual commitment or the ring?  If it is the commitment, you don't need an enagement ring or get a non-diamond ring (any stone will work really, does she have a favorite stone or a nice birthstone).  If it the ring, it all depends on what she wants I suppose although again, you could again do a non-traditional ring.  

Well, the proposal itself can be as simple as a picnic (which is how my fiance proposed to me) but maybe jazz it up by having a candlelight picnic.  Take her to the place you two met, your first date, a restaurant you both love, anywhere really.  It is the moment itself, not necessarily where it is.