<prompt> Human: Hey all-Tl;drIs it really the end of the world to finance a ring? The ring she wants is outside any pay for it with cash budget and would take a few years of savings. Not in our time table. Preliminary bargain shopping puts the ring at around 3hypothetical yet unfounded price - 5k. 1-5ct, probably round, solitaire maybe a petite twist ring.Edit: Im currently 22 making 30k a year as I go through schoolFull story:Getting ready to pop the question this summer, been doing a lot of research about the ring. Couple of things of the bat that have already been established by my significant other:Gotta be a diamond. She doesnt matter if its lab grown or what, but no lookalikes and no other precious stones regrettably. Sapphire rings are so beautiful :O Size over quality. She really wants a big ring. Not crazy, but in the 1-1.5ct range. Obviously, she doesnt want a murky pos on her finger but you get the idea. Now, heres the catch. We are both undergrad students who plan on going to grad school. Shes on pace to be an OT, Im an electrical engineer major. One day the money will come, but not today lol. We plan on an 18 month engagement to save for the wedding.All the advice I read here and elsewhere is do not finance a ring. Maybe if you can get zero percent or something, but even then, the overwhelming advice seems to point the opposite way. I have decent credit for my age low 700s and an Amex with 30k limit and a 12.5 rate. Weve been together for three years and, if I can swing a summer engagement, thatll put us at 3.5 years, married on our 5 year anniversary. I really want to marry this girl. I know there is no rush, do it right, etc, but weve been living together 2 years, share finances, etc. Very much have been playing married without the benefits. There are significant financial gains to being married as well tax reasons and school assistance.I guess Im just looking for advice. Feeling slightly discouraged. It seems as if I have 3 options: finance, wait, or talk her into something else. Appreciate any and all feedback-Assistant: Its unreasonable of her to expect you to buy such an expensive ring while you are still a student. The ideal solution in my mind would be to get a lesser ring now, and upgrade when you can afford it. If she balks at this idea and really, she shouldnt. then she should be willing to pitch in half the cost in order to get the ring of her dreams. I personally dont think the quality of ring should matter nearly as much as the quality of the man offering it, but hey, thats just me.Human: Weve talked about this idea in the past as well. The thing with size, and I know its petty, is we just hate friends who get engaged with puny tiny little rings I feel it looks silly. But I guess this is where outward appearance meets pocket book lol.  <response>: Wow...so silly of them not to go into debt for a ring. 