This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

We're coming up on our nine year wedding anniversary (July 31st) which is just crazy to me! Time has flown, and I can't believe next year we'll have been married for a whole decade!?! Thinking back on when we were young and dreaming of getting married, I remember the engagement ring was a point of stress. We didn't have money (we were still in college), but I still wanted a nice ring I could show off when we announced our engagement. AND I wanted it to be a surprise so I left it up to Ben to choose the ring by himself. Poor Ben, I think I probably put too much pressure on him to get it right. Luckily, he did good. But looking back, with the wisdom of a few more years under my belt, I wish I could tell him that the ring doesn't matter that much! It's something other people only notice for that very short period of time when you're engaged and newly married. I still love my ring, but in the grand scheme of things it's not that important to me anymore (except as a symbol of our love and commitment, of course).

So my number one advice for anyone thinking of buying an engagement ring, is to know your budget. And don't feel pressured to spend more than what you feel comfortable with. This guide gives some advice on how much you should spend on an engagement ring. The main thing I hope you get? Don't feel obligated to go by the old "three months of your salary" rule. It dates back to the 1950s and usually doesn't makes sense for today. The new standard is to figure out what makes sense for your finances, keeping in mind that you'll still have other wedding expenses and a honeymoon to pay for...not to mention starting your life together. It's always best if you can pay for the ring outright instead of financing it. Money troubles are a huge cause of fights within marriages, so starting out with as little debt as possible will be hugely beneficial to your relationship.

Nowadays, with the internet and so many different retailers, there is a massive selection of engagement rings to choose from--and a huge differentiation in price too. Do your research, look into different options, and make sure the ring is a purchase you can comfortably afford!

After you've nailed down your budget, the next thing to do is figure out the style your partner likes. Start paying attention to the type of jewelry she wears most often...is it flashy or simple? Gold or silver? If she wears a lot of silver, then go for a white gold or platinum ring to ensure it'll match with her style. You can also talk to some of her close friends or family members. They will be able to give you a good idea of what to go for. She may have even mentioned her ideal engagement ring to those who are close to her!

The setting

A center stone on a simple band will always be classic and stylish, but if your girlfriend tends to like more sparkly, flashy jewelry, then consider a halo style ring. This popular style incorporates a main center diamond with lots of smaller diamonds encircling it. It's beautiful and attention grabbing, and will certainly get noticed by her friends. By getting a ring with lots of little diamonds contributing to the overall effect, you can also get a smaller center stone and still have a ring that's gorgeous and full of sparkle.

The shape

The most popular shapes are round or square (princess) cut diamonds. But they're not your only options! If your girlfriend has a feminine and pretty style, consider going for a more unique shape, like an oval, marquise (football shaped), emerald (rounded rectangle), or pear. All of these styles have a delicate and dainty look, and they're more intriguing than the classic round or square cut diamond.

The gemstones

Most people go for clear white diamonds when buying an engagement ring. But if your girlfriend has a quirky style and tends to wear more colored gemstones, then you could consider the possibility of something more unique. This is something you might want to ask one of her friends about. Choosing a colored alternative to a clear diamond makes a statement and looks really bold and striking. If you want some examples, Kate Middleton and Penelope Cruz have gorgeous sapphire rings, Carrie Underwood wears a yellow engagement ring, and Halle Berry has an emerald ring. Going for an alternative to diamond can also be a good way to save money.

Once you've narrowed down the style, the next thing to know is the basics regarding diamonds. All diamonds are different and therefore they have various levels of quality. You will need to receive the proper GIA certification from the jeweler. This will assess the diamond based on color, carat, cut and clarity. The best diamonds are colorless, free of inclusions, and cut to perfection so that the light reflects beautifully and creates a stunning glistening effect...but slight imperfections are honestly invisible to the untrained eye and a good way to save money on a bigger stone.

Lastly, before you make a purchase, of course you'll need to know her ring size so that it actually fits. If there's a ring she wears on her ring finger already, see if you can take it on the sly so that you can use it for reference.

There is no doubt that proposing to your girlfriend requires a lot of consideration on your part. After all, you want the occasion to be a memorable one, and more importantly you want her to say yes. My advice is to choose a ring you feel confident that she'll love--at a price point you feel confident that you can afford.

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