This Guy Makes $200k a Year but Proposed With a $38 Temu Ring, and His Fiancée is Not Having It

We all know the old rule about spending three months’ salary on an engagement ring is outdated marketing nonsense. Nobody expects their partner to go into debt for a piece of jewelry in this economy. However, there is a massive canyon between “being fiscally responsible” and “buying a symbol of your eternal love from a site that also sells knockoff Crocs for ninety cents.” One woman on Reddit is currently questioning her entire relationship after discovering her “stunning” engagement ring came from the bargain bin of the internet.

The OP (Original Poster) and her fiancé have been together for three years, and by all accounts, things were going great. He popped the question, catching her completely by surprise. Caught up in the romance and excitement, she said yes immediately. She genuinely liked the ring at first sight, describing it as an oval cut with stones across the band. It sparkled, her friends loved it, and she was on cloud nine.

But the cracks started to show when she asked the inevitable question: “Where did you get it?” Instead of naming a jeweler, a department store, or even a pawn shop, he got cagey. He wouldn’t tell her the source, only mentioning that he got a “great deal” on it. Now, we love a bargain, but when a man making six figures is being secretive about a “deal” on jewelry, your Spidey senses should definitely start tingling.

The truth came out in the most unromantic way possible: while they were lying in bed. The OP, curious about the materials—specifically if it was diamond or moissanite—asked him for details. She explicitly states she didn’t have a preference; she just wanted to know what was on her finger. His response? He had to “look it up.” When she glanced at his phone, he wasn’t scrolling through an email from a jeweler. He was browsing the Temu app.

When she asked if he got it from Temu, he went silent. When she pressed, he hit her with the classic gaslighting line: “Does it matter?” Then, instead of having an adult conversation, he stormed out and slept on the couch. Spoiler alert: if you have to sleep on the couch because your fiancée found out where you bought the ring, it definitely matters.

The next day, the OP did her own detective work. She downloaded the app, searched for her ring, and found the exact match. The price? A whopping $38. This isn’t a placeholder ring. This isn’t a sentimental family heirloom. It is a piece of costume jewelry that costs less than a tank of gas. And the kicker? Her fiancé makes $200,000 a year.

Let’s be real. The issue isn’t that the ring didn’t cost ten grand. The issue is that a ring from Temu is likely made of materials that will turn her finger green by next Tuesday. It is fast fashion jewelry meant for a costume party, not a symbol of a lifetime commitment. It raises serious questions about durability and safety, given some of the reports about heavy metals in cheap jewelry.

By buying a $38 ring when he makes $200k, he is essentially saying, “I want to marry you, but I don’t want to invest more than the cost of a DoorDash order in our symbol of commitment.” It feels lazy and disrespectful. He could have bought a beautiful, durable ring for a few hundred dollars if he wanted to be thrifty. Going the Temu route and lying by omission is a massive red flag.

He tried to pass off a trinket as a treasure and then got mad when he was caught. The fact that he makes a high salary makes this pinch pennies move feel even more insulting. He has the means to do better, but he chose not to.

So, is the OP the ahole for telling him she doesn’t want the ring? Absolutely not. She deserves a ring that won’t dissolve in the shower or give her a rash. If he is this cheap with the ring, imagine what he will be like with the wedding budget—or worse, the rest of their lives.

What would you do if you found out your partner cheaped out this hard on a sentimental gift? Would you wear the Temu ring, or would you send it back for a refund? Let us know in the comments if you think the fiancé needs to open his wallet!