Here’s How Much People Spend On Engagement Gifts & Who Am I, Elon Bloody Musk?

Now that most (some?) of us are entering the stage of our lives where engagement parties are more common, we have to start figuring out how much money is an acceptable amount to spend on the presumably happy couple.

Does it make a difference how well you know them? What if you boinked one of them in the past and feel like you have to spend more out of guilt? How much is everyone else spending? Does salary play into this?

So. Many. Questions.

Luckily, we put our feelers out to get a gauge of people’s expectations, so it will give you an idea of how much you should be forking out.

“I feel like it depends how close you are but also I’m a firm believer in getting something mega sentimental (e.g a bonsai tree from the year they got together because those things live forever and the older they get the $$$ they get).” – L.B

“I have never once in my life bought someone an engagement present.” – C.S

“Me and my partner usually do like a fancy restaurant voucher or something else around $100. I think between $100 and $150 as a couple is fair. $50 – $75ish if you’re going in alone.” – M.H

“If I’m close to the couple then I’ll usually spend around $100 on them.” – D.G

“Just $30 ‘cos the main money’s going into the wedding present, no?” – S.T

“It depends on whether you’re invited to the wedding. If you’re paying for an engagement present and a wedding present, then maybe $50 for the engagement, 100 for the wedding?” – H.A

Alright, so it’s clear that opinions are varied.

Regardless, engagement presents can be a surprise expense that you haven’t accounted for in your little ol’ budget, and if you’re getting paid fortnightly or monthly, my word can that random $30+ expense sting.

If you got the notification of an upcoming engagement party that you entirely forgot about, and it falls on a night before payday, you can always dip into a few dollars from your next paycheck with services like MyPayNow.

MyPayNow is a nifty app that lets you access your wage early to help out with expenses such as treating your lovebird friends to an engagement present. At any time, you can access up to a quarter of your upcoming pay*, which should be more than enough for an engagement present – even if you’re in the bridal party. It also hits your bank account immediately after you’ve requested it, which is hella handy.

It’s available for download from your app store so hit up Google Play or the Apple Store to suss it out.

*Eligibility & fees apply

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