<prompt> Human: Theres a lot of conflicting, amorphous shit here, so I figured Id post in the hopes of sorting this all out.Event 1: I decided to get engaged! Im really excited. Im working with a local designer whose portfolio I love and more importantly, whose work my girlfriend loves. I set my budget before I started my last job, of 4,500 for the ring.The jeweler has run into some issues and is trying to get different stones for a wholesale cost that conform to what I asked for in the ring. However, hes asking for 1,500 more. I consulted with a friend who is a jeweler and she said she wouldnt pay more than 750 for the stones he is asking about. However, I really want the ring to get finalized, so I said Id talk it over and get back to him. So far, Im still committed to the 4k, which I have paid 2k of. This would bring me back, effectively, to my original cost as if I had never made the payment.Event 2: I lost my job riiight before that conversation. My expenses have drastically decreased, but I still have student debt and CC bills to pay- about 8,000 worth. I recently renegotiated my cards to a 0 APR and did a balance transfer from the cards that I couldnt do that with, but I still have to pay that off.Event 3: My dad and I had dinner recently and he gave me some savings bonds he had around; approximately 8,000 if cashed out now, but worth more like 17,000 if I wait until they appreciate roughly six years. I had intended to use this in part toward a down payment on a house, but I can wipe out my debt and pay our designer with this and the money I have- is it worth it?My current liquid assets in bonds, stocks, and savings comes to about 20k after my IRA and the rest of it. I have to be able to live on this until I get a job which in all honesty, shouldnt be more than a few months, but Im planning for the worst. What should I tackle first? Is it imprudent to raise my budget on the ring, or am I being cheap?TL;DR, I dont know how to manage my finances and Im having trouble putting logic bills? before emotion engagement, house, etc.Assistant: Is it imprudent to raise my budget on the ring, or am I being cheap?You cant afford this. Even when you had a job. You are 8k in debt, and buying a ring that could retire over half of that.Its not a smart move.Human: Can you explain? I didnt post my salary, so Im wondering how you arrived at that conclusion.Assistant: You dont have a salary as youre unemployed but when you did, you were buying a luxury item that was half of your outstanding debt, which is generally not indicative of responsible spending. Its almost never responsible to carry a balance on a CC, for example.Human: I agree that the CC balance should be the first to go! Are engagement rings really considered luxury items? I thought that was the point of savings- emergencies, investments, and large purchases.  <response>: Why wouldnt they be? Its a shiny rock on a piece of expensive metal thats serves no useful purpose. 