Engagement Ring Budget Calculator
Use this tool to get a simple, traditional guideline for an engagement ring budget based on your annual salary.
Calculate Your Budget Guideline
Understanding the "2 Months' Salary" Rule
The calculator uses a traditional guideline suggesting that an appropriate budget for an engagement ring is equivalent to two months of your gross annual salary.
This rule originated from diamond marketers decades ago and is by no means a mandatory standard. Your personal financial situation, including savings, debts, other expenses, and future financial goals, should be the primary factors in determining your actual budget. This tool provides a historical perspective and starting point for consideration.
To calculate, it simply takes your annual salary, divides it by 12 to estimate monthly income, and then multiplies that by 2.
Examples Using the Calculator
Here are a few examples of how the budget is calculated based on different annual salaries:
Example 1: Salary $50,000
Input: Annual Salary = $50,000
Calculation: ($50,000 / 12) * 2 ≈ $8,333.33
Output: Recommended Budget: $8,333.33
Example 2: Salary $75,000
Input: Annual Salary = $75,000
Calculation: ($75,000 / 12) * 2 = $12,500.00
Output: Recommended Budget: $12,500.00
Example 3: Salary $100,000
Input: Annual Salary = $100,000
Calculation: ($100,000 / 12) * 2 ≈ $16,666.67
Output: Recommended Budget: $16,666.67
Example 4: Salary $40,000
Input: Annual Salary = $40,000
Calculation: ($40,000 / 12) * 2 ≈ $6,666.67
Output: Recommended Budget: $6,666.67
Example 5: Salary $62,500
Input: Annual Salary = $62,500
Calculation: ($62,500 / 12) * 2 ≈ $10,416.67
Output: Recommended Budget: $10,416.67
Example 6: Salary $150,000
Input: Annual Salary = $150,000
Calculation: ($150,000 / 12) * 2 = $25,000.00
Output: Recommended Budget: $25,000.00
Example 7: Salary $30,000
Input: Annual Salary = $30,000
Calculation: ($30,000 / 12) * 2 = $5,000.00
Output: Recommended Budget: $5,000.00
Example 8: Salary $88,000
Input: Annual Salary = $88,000
Calculation: ($88,000 / 12) * 2 ≈ $14,666.67
Output: Recommended Budget: $14,666.67
Example 9: Inputting Zero Salary
Input: Annual Salary = 0
Calculation: Input validation triggers.
Output: Error: Salary must be a positive number.
Example 10: Inputting Invalid Text
Input: Annual Salary = "negotiable"
Calculation: Input validation triggers.
Output: Error: Please enter a valid number for your salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is this calculator for?
It provides a simple, traditional guideline for an engagement ring budget based on the "2 months' salary" rule using your annual income.
2. How does it calculate the budget?
It divides your annual salary by 12 to find a monthly estimate, then multiplies that monthly amount by 2.
3. Is the "2 months' salary" rule required?
No, it's a traditional guideline that originated from marketing. Your personal financial situation is the most important factor for your budget.
4. Should I use gross or net salary?
The traditional rule is typically based on gross annual salary (before taxes and deductions). However, your actual spending budget should reflect your disposable income.
5. What if I have variable income?
Enter your most recent or average annual salary. Remember, the result is a guideline, not a strict financial plan.
6. Does the calculated budget include sales tax?
No, the calculated amount is an estimate for the ring's price. You should factor in additional costs like sales tax, insurance, or appraisal fees.
7. Can I enter a monthly salary?
This version requires your annual salary. If you know your monthly salary, multiply it by 12 before entering it.
8. Why is the calculator so simple?
This tool is designed to be basic and focus purely on the most common "2 months' salary" guideline, as defined by its core purpose.
9. What units does it use?
It assumes your input is in your local currency (displayed with '$') and provides the result in the same currency.
10. Where should I put this code in WordPress?
Paste the entire code block into a "Custom HTML" block within the Gutenberg editor of your page or post.
