Post # 1
Member
7587 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I was watching television and a commercial for a television show, not one that I watch, came on. From what I gather it’s about a family who is having major financial struggles and the wife suggests they sell her wedding and engagement ring. In the commercial the husband gets upset and says “why don’t we just tear up the marriage license too?”
If you and your family were in financial trouble would you sell your ring?
Post # 3
Hostess
16215 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I wouldn’t. Financial troubles or not, there are just some things that are untouchable. That’s not to say I wouldn’t try to fix my financial problems, but just not that way.
Post # 4
Member
1036 posts
Bumble bee
This totally depends on the situation. The ring is a beautiful symbol of your love together, but it is just a ‘thing’ when it comes down to it. If my family was in a situation where the only viable option to obtain needed finances for some reason was to sell our valuable possessions, I would be willing to do that for the sake of our family. Your family is the real symbol of your love, and your willingness to do whatever it takes to keep your marriage and family well is an incredible show of committment.
Of course I would exhaust all other options before considering this.
Post # 5
Member
9824 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Yes, of course. A ring is a material thing that can be lost down a drain or dropped into the ocean. When Dirty Delete was diagnosed with autism and I sat there and looked at how expensive her therapy was going to be, my first thought was “I have to sell my ring.”
If it comes down to a shiny piece of jewelry for me or speech therapy to make her life easier, speech therapy wins. She’s the real “symbol” of the love in our marriage anyway.
Post # 6
Member
5423 posts
Bee Keeper
I think it would depend on the situation obviously. But I would probably part with my engagement ring before my wedding band. It has a higher value and I don’t think I could part with the ring I said my vows with.
Post # 7
Member
3671 posts
Sugar bee
No I wouldn’t. My BIL and his wife were talking about selling her engagement ring for money. I told my husband that I’d rather sell all of our electronics, our furniture, everything and live on the floor than sell my rings. I do get that it’s just a thing but there are other things I’d rather sell first and they hadn’t even considered selling their paintings or anything. I guess if I was seriously at rock bottom without food or clean water I’d consider it (especially if we had children) but I just can’t imagine doing it right now.
On a similar note, my mom’s great aunt never sold her ring even when she was at rock bottom. She lived in a small garage attached to someone’s home at one point because she said she could never sell her ring. I think it’s a romantic story and my mom has the ring (which is beautiful). That story may have affected my decision though.
Post # 8
Member
5572 posts
Bee Keeper
@mandb122:I agree. There are a lot of other things that I’d be more comfortable selling first…like everything that’s not an absolute necessity. If none of those things were left and selling my ring would keep my family in our house or fed than I’d consider it.
Post # 9
Member
6009 posts
Bee Keeper
Sure, if it was necessary. I’m just not very attached to physical objects, so I don’t think I would have issues with it at all. My husband would probably be pretty upset if I ever did that, though. He’s a very sentimental person (one of the many reasons why I love him!) and my wedding ring means a lot more to him than it does to me.
Post # 10
Member
1987 posts
Buzzing bee
I don’t have an expensive ring and you never get what they are worth…so probably not.
That said I don’t think it’s equivalent to “tearing up our marriage license”.
Post # 11
Member
6009 posts
Bee Keeper
@KatyElle: That’s a beautiful sentiment, and one I wholeheartedly agree with.
Post # 12
Member
1571 posts
Bumble bee
@KatyElle:
I was wondering if you were going to reply to this. I know how much you love your ring and I was so impressed when I saw you mention you had listed it for sale to pay for you daughter’s therapy. So many people wouldn’t do that.
Post # 13
Member
442 posts
Helper bee
If I or my family desperately needed money to avoid eviction, starvation, or death; I would sell my ring without hesitation.
Post # 14
Member
1269 posts
Bumble bee
I wouldn’t except in some dire circumstances. For 1, I love my ring but I understand it’s just a thing but for 2. I would never get what it was worth. It’s my 2nd point that would make me hold out.
Post # 15
Member
9824 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@LMD84: It was a no brainer. I had the ring for a month and then the diagnosis came and things changed. I have never had a conversation with my daughter, to be able to have that would be priceless, certainly worth more than any ring.
Post # 16
Member
660 posts
Busy bee
I would not sell my rings. I hope we’re never in a situation where that would be our only alternative.
