You've been preparing for months. You know exactly what you're going to say and where you're going to say it - you're ready to ask her to marry you! You're all set, except for one thing - you don't have the engagement ring yet! You're also working on a small budget, so a cheap engagement ring is what you're looking for. However, is this even possible?

First off, I never like to use the word "cheap" when describing a diamond ring. So instead of saying "cheap engagement ring", I'm going to say "affordable engagement ring". Just sounds nicer doesn't it?:)

Ok, step one is to set a budget. Decide how much you want to spend on your engagement ring. And please be realistic - don't say $56. Not gonna happen.

You'll either have to tap into your savings to pay for this purchase or save up for an engagement ring. Don't make the mistake of spending too little - this is one of the most important purchases you'll ever make.

Traditionally, about two month's salary should be spent on an engagement ring. However, this may not be possible for you; you may have a lot of other expenses to handle.

If your budget is too limited for this, don't stress too much about it. You can find great diamond engagement rings which are affordable. The key is to try to get the most diamond for your dollar.

However, I do suggest that you spend at least $1,000 on this ring. She'll wear it forever; it's a symbol of your love and there should be some sacrifice involved in buying it. $1,000 is pretty low as far as price tags on engagement jewelry goes. However, you can make even this amount go a long way if you shop wisely.

Go to my site and grab the Diamond Buying Guide - it will show you a ton of tricks on saving money on engagement rings. It's amazing how many people waste money on this purchase. I'll make sure get every last bit of your money's worth.

The first thing you should do is to look for a simple setting. Go with 14 carat yellow or white gold here. If you're on a budget, you don't need to spend the extra money on platinum or 18 carat gold. The bulk of your budget should go towards the diamond, not the setting.

For the diamond, the key is getting the biggest size rock for your pricerange. Diamonds are graded in a number of different categories - the diamond guide I put together shows you exactly what combination to go for when you're on a budget. Without this information you will either waste a bunch of cash or get a low quality diamond.

It really is possible to find the perfect ring for your fiance without breaking the bank; just keep in mind that you are not looking for a cheap diamond engagement ring, but an affordable diamond engagement ring! Happy hunting!