If that guy can't get a ring worth more than $200 he is either jobless or so socially inept to not understand how much women value jewelry especially for the engagement/wedding ring. Either way he probably isn't ready to get married. Is he going to feed his wife microwave meals?

So it seems that a lot of people who are supporting $200 dollars not being enough tend to have a similar train of thought: The ring is going to be seen by other people, who may whisper amongst themselves if the ring looks cheap. Because it's a /great/ idea to go into a marriage solely worried about what /other people/ think about you and your partner, right? Remember, everyone, don't do something if other people who have little to no real bearing on your love and relationship are going to WHISPER ABOUT IT UNFAVORABLY. I mean, /gosh/, wouldn't that just be /embarrassing/? If you're more worried about what other people are thinking than you are about just being with each other, it's a problem. A sad, pitiful problem. And like I think someone else said - what does the girl give the guy nowadays anyways? The guys are supposed to shell out an extra gross amount of money to prove /their/ love, what's the girl spending an extra gross amount of money on to prove hers, hm? If that's how you really consider an engagement ring - a sign of love - then why shouldn't the guy get an extra before-marriage sign of love, too? Because it's just not traditional? Come on, people, seriously now.

totally agreed 172. its the same for valentines day. guys are expected to shell out money on food and gifts while the girl just sits there like the spoiled bitch she is.

I worked at a jewelry store. promise rings were 150-300 dollars. I say dump the guy unless u r bothsuper poor and the 200 is a stetch in which case ya prob can't afford a wedding either. dumb him an wait for the guy who really cares about u and will put in more of an effort to make ur proposal special. notice I said effort and not dollars for those who will say I'm just another materialistic bitch

Maybe $200 is all he has in the world. Maybe he scrimped and saved and sold his grandmother to get that $200 for the ring. Maybe he can only really afford $150, and it's coming out of his overdraft. Just because a dude may be poor it doesn't mean he doesn't love you. I really hope he gets a new girlfriend because you are horrifying.

I have to say that, even tho, the bf was cheap, u shouldn't base materialistic things as the relationship. just be lucky he will get u anything at all

Are you both young, and just starting out and that's all he can afford right now? if that's the case so what! you can always upgrade the ring a few years down the road. however... if he has a good job and he's just being a cheapo... RUN away and don't look back.

I am prepared to believe the boyfriend didn't know how much rings typically cost and he thought $200 was a reasonable amount for a ring. Furthermore, I don't think it's too much to ask for a girl to want a ring she can look at in 50 years that will be as beautiful as it was the day he proposed... you can't buy that for $200. So quit judging the poor girl and maybe when your big day comes around you'll have a boyfriend who buys you a ring from a gumball machine. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. After all, it's about how much he loves you, hm?

how much does the ring you're buying him cost? :)

Marriage is a big deal. That is why they say you should spend three months sallary on the ring. You are supposed to spend time and effort considering the lifelong commitment you are about to make. OP is right to be disappointed about this, this man who can't care enough to put some thought into buying a ring has just asked her to spend eternity with him. Even if it was $200 he should never have told her what the cost was because he should have had the ring before he proposed.