This platinum and diamond Tiffany engagement ring will set you back a whopping $32,500. The average price paid for an engagement ring in the US is far less–around $3,000. That’s still a big chunk of change, and more than eighty times the cost of the nice-looking cubic zirconia ring shown on the right.

Is it really necessary to shell out big bucks on a ring? Think twice before you do. Think a third time, even. And then go to a site like this one and find out how people are putting their money to better use.

What you could spend your money on, instead —->

and

(x 8.5)

Spending $36 on a ring instead of $32,500 would leave you with $32,464 left over to:

Save 162 people from dying
Restore sight to 649 people
Buy mosquito nets for 3,246 children in Africa