matching rings for couples are not cheap. If you are about to embark on the quest to find that perfect forever adornment, you will probably be familiar with the sticker shock of engagement ring shopping.

 Our experts can help if you are beginning to think that your dream ring may be out of reach. We'll share some helpful tips in this blog on how to make the process of buying couple jewelry as easy as possible.

 Budgeting for an matching couple necklaces

 Weddings and engagements are about starting a brand new chapter. No couple wants a debt cloud hanging over their heads as they begin a new chapter in life. You may have tried to find out how much you could afford to spend on an engagement ring, or used an engagement calculator to determine if it was possible.

 What's the secret of popping the question, or saying "I do", without financial stress? Budgeting and planning are key.

 The 3-Month Salary Rule

 You may be familiar with the rule of three months salary. The idea is that, if you want to propose to someone, you should save up the equivalent of a three-month salary for the cost of the ring. Recent studies indicate that couples are starting to deviate from this guideline.

 What should you do now? Truthfully, the 'rule of three months' salary doesn't work for everyone. In our article How Much Salary Should Be Applied to an Engagement Ring we explain it as follows: "If you earn $100,000 per year in gross income, you will spend around $25,000 for a wedding band. That's bonkers! "On the other hand, for many shoppers, paying thousands of dollars for an expensive ring simply isn't in the cards. This makes the average engagement ring price expensive and unattainable."

 This doesn't take into consideration the price changes for engagement rings across the board. The popularity of lab-grown diamonds is on the rise, and they are selling at a fraction the price of a traditional mined diamond. These gemstones can be purchased for up to 80% cheaper than comparable natural diamonds.

 What Should I spend on an engagement ring?

 Your partner's expectations and your financial situation will determine the budget for your engagement ring.

 Consider your fiancé's preferences. Has your fiance-to-be always wanted to wear a certain stone shape or setting for an engagement ring? They may prefer a more glamorous and flashy style or a minimalistic design. It's vital that you meet your spouse's expectations, as they will be wearing the ring daily. You can ask a close friend or member of the family for some advice if you're not sure where to begin. If all else fails, you can always stalk their Pinterest profile to get some ideas.

 You can then move to the second phase, which is assessing your finances.

 Add up all your sources of income. This includes your regular pay, dividends or interest, and anything else you can think of. You should now have a good idea of your regular income. You should also consider your expenses. Add up your regular expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utility bills, groceries and student loans. You'll want to add in other costs, such as gas, tolls and money spent on dining out.

 Diamond Nexus has the following to say about budgeting for an engagement ring: "Anything and everything you spend needs to be added up for the most accurate estimate of what you can afford for a gemstone. You should not underestimate these expenses, as they can be very costly in the future. It's impossible to budget accurately for an engagement ring unless you have a clear picture of your finances. You'll be more pleasantly surprised by how much money you can spend if you estimate higher than what your actual expenses are.

 Divide the total by 12 to get an idea of what you spend on average each month. You will have a better idea of how much you can save to buy an engagement ring.