| So, you've found someone
special and are starting your lives together...
This is NOT the time to go into debt! There's good debt and bad
debt. Expensive engagement rings and lavish
weddings are not just bad debt, they are stupid debt.
First of all, and this is
brutal... If you have to use a credit card (or
finance) the engagement and weddings rings, you've got
NO business getting married! You can't afford it
and you aren't ready. Many, MANY marriages fail
due to financial problems and arguments. But, if
you must... How about buying a ring that has a
cubic zirconium stone instead of a diamond? It
will be a LOT cheaper and no one will no but you.
(If you're a guy, you'd better darn well tell your
future wife or she'll shoot you when she finds out.)
Later, when you can afford it, you just replace the
stone with a real diamond. It would make a great
5th anniversary present!
Now, for the wedding...
For "normal" people (not rich and famous), a wedding can
cost anywhere from $500 for a weekend elopement to Las
Vegas to $3000 for a small, intimate event to $80,000
for 300 guests and a sit-down dinner for all.
Which one should you have?
Here's
the key: Neither you or your parents
should have to go into any debt for this
event! None at all.
If you have to
borrow the money, you can't afford it.
This
certainly doesn't mean you can't have a nice wedding.
Be creative and plan correctly.
The money you don't spend on
the wedding can be used as a down payment for your first
house! Why blow 30 grand for one day when you
can use the money for something to live in for a
lifetime?
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