How Much Should I Expect My Boyfriend to Pay for a Ring?

Summary

The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: How Much Should I Expect My Boyfriend to Pay for a Ring?
Date: May 6, 2026
Host: Dave Ramsey, with Rachel Cruze, Ken Coleman, and guests Hannah & Jeff

Episode Overview

In this lively and humorous episode, Dave Ramsey and his co-hosts, Rachel Cruze and Ken Coleman, tackle a common question from listener Hannah: “How much should I expect my boyfriend to pay for a ring?” The discussion gets personal when Hannah’s boyfriend, Jeff, joins the conversation, sparking an open exploration of engagement ring expectations, financial values between couples, and how traditions and marketing influence big life decisions. The team offers practical advice, challenges traditional advice, and emphasizes aligning spending with personal priorities and financial responsibility.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Breaking the Ice: The Ring Question

• Hannah asks: “How much should I expect my boyfriend to be paying on an engagement ring?”
• The co-hosts playfully pull both Hannah and Jeff into the conversation, noting the real-time dynamics of putting a partner “on the spot.”
  • [00:14-00:38]

2. Tradition vs. Marketing: The “Two to Three Months’ Salary” Myth

• Jeff shares he’s been told (by parents and friends) the standard is “two to three months salary” for an engagement ring.
• Rachel Cruze: “That’s a lot of marketing.” [01:31]
• Dave Ramsey and the group agree the “2-3 months salary” rule is outdated and fueled by the jewelry industry, especially De Beers marketing.
  • “I don’t like that two to three months salary business. That feels artificial.” (Dave Ramsey, 02:59)
  • [01:20-03:05]

3. Honest Assessment: Affordability and Personal Finance

• Jeff reveals he’s financially prepared, debt-free, and has a diamond connection through family.

• The hosts encourage:

  • Actually pricing the specific ring Hannah wants.
  • Basing the purchase on what’s comfortable and affordable.
  • Not going into debt.
  • Having open, adult conversations about spending priorities as a couple.
  • [01:46-03:50]

• Dave Ramsey: “I think you know in your mind what a comfortable number is. …If you can’t get her what she wants, you get her something close and we have a fine conversation about it.” [03:28]

• Rachel Cruze: “How much should you spend? How much you can afford at the time you want to propose. That’s it.” [04:13]

• Ken Coleman: “If you guys have to pay for the wedding, the honeymoon, do you want a down payment on a house? The money all is put into a big bowl and saying, how do we want to divvy this up?” [04:19]

4. Prioritizing and Values

• The conversation shifts to the importance of setting financial priorities together, factoring in other major expenses like weddings and buying a house.
• Rachel and Ken stress the need to talk openly about what matters most as a couple.
  • “What’s the priority?” (Rachel Cruze, 04:35; Ken Coleman, 04:35)
• Hannah: “I would much rather be on a beautiful diamond than maybe a wedding venue or a dress or other things.” [04:54]
• Hannah also acknowledges a mortgage would take higher priority. [05:07]

5. The Role of Mystery and Romance

• Dave Ramsey laments the loss of mystery in engagements, suggesting couples should let some things—like the exact ring—be a surprise.

  • “I do think there needs to be mystery. And I think the young man should get a little information from you, and then you just need to go about your life and let him come up with a plan. …Where’s the romance?” [05:09, 05:19, 05:27]

• Ken Coleman and Rachel Cruze respond that transparent conversations are good, especially for couples in their late 20s who are building a foundation together.

  • “Because they’re hardworking, late 20s, they know what they want in life so they can have grown up conversations of where we want our money to go as a couple.” (Ken Coleman, 05:34)
  • “The mystery around the engagement, the way the engagement happens can be the mystery.” (Rachel Cruze, 05:46)

• Ken Coleman sums up: It’s okay to discuss ring pricing together, as long as you pay cash and remember upgrades are always possible in the future.

  • “And in two years you’re gonna be fine. Or… in 10 years, you can upgrade a ring.” [05:55]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rachel Cruze, playfully to Hannah: “Do you really think he would give you a ring that you’d be disappointed with?” [02:17]
• Dave Ramsey: “If you can’t get her what she wants, you get her something close and we have a fine conversation about it.” [03:50]
• Rachel Cruze: “How much should you spend? How much you can afford at the time you want to propose. That’s it.” [04:13]
• Ken Coleman: “The money all is put into a big bowl and saying, how do we want to divvy this up?” [04:19]
• Dave Ramsey, half-joking: “I’m truly not irritated, but I’m slightly irritated because I do think there needs to be mystery.” [05:09]
• Ken Coleman, on trade-offs: “Or, Hannah, you may be slightly disappointed with the size. ...But then in 10 years, you can upgrade a ring.” [05:55]
• Dave Ramsey, closing: “You guys are fun sports. I’m having a little bit of fun, but kind of serious. Give them a big, big hand.” [06:31]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:09-00:55 – Hannah asks her question, and Jeff joins the discussion
• 01:20-02:25 – The “two to three months” tradition and marketing origins
• 02:45-03:49 – Real talk about shopping, pricing, and expectations
• 03:50-04:35 – How much should you spend? Affordability and personal comfort
• 04:35-05:14 – Financial priorities and couple values
• 05:19-06:22 – The debate over mystery, romance, and open planning

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Takeaways

• Ignore outdated marketing rules—spend what is right for you, debt-free.
• Open, mature conversations about finances build a strong partnership.
• Prioritize together: consider all shared financial goals, not just the ring.
• Leave some room for romance and mystery but communicate enough to avoid disappointment.
• Remember: it’s not about the ring, but the relationship—and rings can always be upgraded!

---

Transcript

[Dave Ramsey]

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[Hannah]

How much should I expect my boyfriend to be paying on an engagement ring?

[Dave Ramsey]

Ooh, yikes. Y' all are bringing the fastballs tonight.

[Hannah]

My boyfriend is here, so you can be generous.

[Rachel Cruze]

Is this him right here?

[Dave Ramsey]

Oh, my goodness.

[Rachel Cruze]

I think we need him on the mic too, don't you?

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, I'll do it. I'll do it. I'm a man of the people. I'm going to come down here.

[Rachel Cruze]

Well, I don't know if you wanted to join her up there.

[Dave Ramsey]

Do you want to go with her? I think you should go up there. Yeah.

[Ken Coleman]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruze]

This is fantastic.

[Ken Coleman]

This is what we need.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay, Hannah, Hannah, on the mic real quick. Did he know you were going to do this?

[Jeff]

I did, yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

Oh, so you're willingly participating.

[Rachel Cruze]

Hey, you got a nice watch there.

[Ken Coleman]

Y' all communicate so well.

[Jeff]

Didn't expect to be on the mic, but I was willing for her to ask the question.

[Rachel Cruze]

Okay, I gotta know what kind of watch you're wearing there.

[Jeff]

It's a T shot.

[Rachel Cruze]

What's that cost?

[Jeff]

It was about a grand.

[Rachel Cruze]

Ok, just give me a good baseline. Give me a good baseline.

[Dave Ramsey]

And are you. Are you aware that she's expecting a ring, I hope?

[Jeff]

Yeah, we've definitely discussed it.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. And have you been planning for this financially?

[Jeff]

Yes.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. Are you willing to tell us right here, now, how much you've been planning to spend or would you like to keep that private?

[Jeff]

Oh, yeah, I've been told. Kind of like two to three months salary.

[Rachel Cruze]

Who told you?

[Dave Ramsey]

Who told you that?

[Jeff]

Parents.

[Rachel Cruze]

Every kiss begins with K. No. Okay.

[Jeff]

Just. Just friends and par De Beers.

[Rachel Cruze]

Yeah. Well, that's a lot of marketing.

[Dave Ramsey]

That's a lot. Two to three months.

[Hannah]

A lot.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruze]

What do you. What do you think?

[Ken Coleman]

That's average. That is what they say.

[Rachel Cruze]

What do you.

[Jeff]

I'm in tech sales.

[Rachel Cruze]

Oh, you're gonna get a nice ring, sweetheart.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

Well, do you have any debt?

[Jeff]

No. Debt free.

[Hannah]

He has a family friend who works for Diamonds Direct as well. So you're getting Debt Free and Diamonds Direct connection.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. And have you.

[Rachel Cruze]

I have a.

[Jeff]

She's teeing it up.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yes, she is. Have you two. You have.

[Ken Coleman]

I bet not.

[Jeff]

She's talked about the size of the ring that she wants, so.

[Dave Ramsey]

Hannah, are you aware of what said size costs?

[Hannah]

Nope.

[Rachel Cruze]

Let's be honest. Do you really think he would give you a ring that you'd be disappointed with?

[Hannah]

No.

[Rachel Cruze]

I think it's a moot. Point, then.

[Dave Ramsey]

All right, well, I want to dig a little more. This is too juicy. What is your name, sir?

[Jeff]

Jeff.

[Dave Ramsey]

Jeff.

[Ken Coleman]

Y' all are adorable, by the way.

[Rachel Cruze]

I'm rooting for this couple already.

[Dave Ramsey]

They're fantastic. You guys are a handsome couple. Have you went and looked at the size ring that she wants and priced it?

[Jeff]

We've went and looked, but I haven't really priced it now.

[Dave Ramsey]

I think you should price it.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

And then George, after he prices it, we don't know what we're dealing with, and we're trying to keep a little bit of mystery here. Although Hannah has put this poor boy on the spot.

[Rachel Cruze]

Yeah, it's a little too late. I mean, he has to put a ring on. I would price it.

[Dave Ramsey]

I would price it. And I don't know, George, if I like that two to three months salary business that feels artificial.

[Ken Coleman]

That's a very.

[Rachel Cruze]

Well, like, we got a call on the Ramsey show. This guy wanted to spend $80,000 on a ring. So there is a level where it's, like, out of control.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay, back to our values thing, y'.

[Hannah]

All.

[Ken Coleman]

If he made 15 million a year, who cares? I mean, do you know what I'm saying? That's why the salary of what you make per month is a good gauge of it.

[Rachel Cruze]

My heart says a month.

[Jeff]

15 million.

[Rachel Cruze]

Trust me, it says a month's salary is plenty.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah. Well, here's. I think we may have varying opinions. I'll vote and say, I think you need to go price it and price it multiple times. Talk to your buddy, say, here's the situation. Hannah's amazing. This is what she wants. This is what I feel comfortable with. Because I think you know in your mind what a comfortable number is. Don't you? You're responsible, young man.

[Jeff]

I would say so, yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

All right. I would. If you can't get her what she wants, you get her something close and we have a fine conversation about it. And, Hannah, you want to marry this man, do you not?

[Hannah]

Yes.

[Dave Ramsey]

All right. Are you going to be happy with what beautiful ring he gets you?

[Hannah]

Yes.

[Dave Ramsey]

All right, then.

[Hannah]

That's right. Now. No,

[Dave Ramsey]

no, you gotta wait. Hannah, let this man come up with a plan.

[Rachel Cruze]

The simplest answer is, how much should you spend? How much you can afford at the time you want to propose. That's it.

[Ken Coleman]

And then you. That's simple. And then factor in, depending on your situation. If you guys have to pay for the wedding, the honeymoon, do you want a down payment on a house? I mean, you know, like, the money all is put into a Big bowl and saying, how do we want to divvy this up? And you guys need to talk about that. To say, what are our values? What are our goals?

[Rachel Cruze]

What's the priority?

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah, what's the priority?

[Dave Ramsey]

I gotta tell you, I'm a little irritated.

[Ken Coleman]

Why? Ken Coleman.

[Dave Ramsey]

I think there needs to be more mystery among this young generation. Why are we even talking about this?

[Ken Coleman]

Well, you're the one that told him to go up to the mic because

[Dave Ramsey]

she asked the question in front of everybody. I don't want you two talking about this. Hannah, relax.

[Hannah]

Look, I'm with Rachel. Like, I think you need to put it all in a bucket and then divvy it out. And I would much rather be on a beautiful diamond than maybe a wedding venue or a dress or other things.

[Dave Ramsey]

We'll see.

[Hannah]

Okay, a mortgage, that would take priority.

[Dave Ramsey]

All right. All I'm saying, I'm having fun. I'm truly not irritated, but I'm slightly irritated because I do think there needs to be mystery. And I think the young man should get a little information from you, and then you just need to go about your life and let him come up with a plan. Let him buy a nice ring. We got too much planning going on. Where's the romance?

[Ken Coleman]

How old are you guys? How old are you?

[Jeff]

I'm 26.

[Hannah]

Yeah. 27.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Hannah]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

What does that have to do with.

[Ken Coleman]

Because they're hardworking, late 20s, they know what they want in life so they can have grown up conversations of where we want our money to go as a couple.

[Dave Ramsey]

I didn't say that.

[Ken Coleman]

Well, you did.

[Dave Ramsey]

The mystery around the engagement, the way

[Rachel Cruze]

the engagement happens can be the mystery.

[Ken Coleman]

That's the mystery. But to decide of how much.

[Dave Ramsey]

I'm talking about.

[Ken Coleman]

But how much money we want to spend on a ring, that can be talked about.

[Hannah]

Okay, I'm okay with that.

[Ken Coleman]

As long as you pay cash. That's my thing. And in two years, you're gonna be fine. You know what I mean? Or, Hannah, you may be slightly disappointed with the size. I don't know. But then in 10 years, you can upgrade a ring. Or in 20 years, right? Like, it's great. So it's fine. But I do like the month. I like basing it on what you make per year. I like that. I like that model. Blame it on K's, but I don't like it.

[Dave Ramsey]

Who's with me would like to see a little more mystery.

[Rachel Cruze]

I'm trying to rally everyone to get on his. Leave a poor couple alone.

[Dave Ramsey]

This is going out to the YouTube millions. I want. I want a good message out there amongst the crowd. That's loud and clear. Hey, you guys are fun sports. I'm having a little bit of fun, but kind of serious. Give them a big, big hand.

[Ken Coleman]

Congratulations, you guys. Good job.

[Dave Ramsey]

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