Having a ring when you ask her is old-fashioned. Do the whole proposal thing (and do it very well
) and then take her shopping. Give her a budget and let her pick it out herself. She may rather have a plain band until you both can afford what she really wants and this way, you're off the hook and she gets something she's happy with. There's nothing wrong with that! Spend your money on the wedding, honeymoon, home, etc. All women secretly want that JLo pink diamond, but we all know we can't have it. No big deal - we love you, bling or not!
Another point - if you can afford the ring right off of the Bride's magazine page, that's when you pop the question with the ring. Otherwise, you have to be creative and improvise! It's all about the love, baby.
