Meso brothers... Engagement rings, advice on affording it?

[Mac11wildcat]

I had a 20,000 watt cannabis grow op before it was legal. $4,000 a pound wholesale back then. Also had a full time job for cover. Was bringing in closer to $480,000 a year. Got in and got out as fast as I could... around 5 years at that size. Started out at 8,000 watts and grew into the 20,000. Used that money to build legitimate businesses later and went legit around 6 years ago. Very stressful time of my life, close calls with the FBI and IRS CID but worth it in the end. Used a top load washing machine with 220u bags to make hash with the trimmings. Ended up with like 2oz bubble hash per harvest. 73u and 25u... Craziness.

You sir...need a movie deal.

 

[T-Bagger]

No not at all. You kidding? Always bad people out there. Imagine being a female trying to date with some of the fucksticks on this forum in the gene pool.

Truth

 

[Rockclimber]

You sir...need a movie deal.

Most of it was boring. Trimming like 10 hours a day every day even with the spinpro and trimpro machines. Covered in THC from head to toe. THC covered hair on the forearms requiring paint thinner to remove. Took a shower at the grow op before driving but even then the car smelled overwhelmingly of freshly cut bud. Took another shower at home and the whole home reeked from the steam from the shower. Couldn't have family or guests over around harvest time which was every 60 days and lasted a few weeks. Had to hide cash in the attic under the insulation. Always paranoid that the grow op would burn down and I would go to jail or my home would burn down and I would lose all the cash I was hiding. FBI came knocking one day with the IRS criminal investigation division. That was the last day I grew, next day I tore it all down And got the best lawyer in the state. Luckily they never pursued me.

 

[TideGear]

Most of it was boring. Trimming like 10 hours a day every day even with the spinpro and trimpro machines. Covered in THC from head to toe. THC covered hair on the forearms requiring paint thinner to remove. Took a shower at the grow op before driving but even then the car smelled overwhelmingly of freshly cut bud. Took another shower at home and the whole home reeked from the steam from the shower. Couldn't have family or guests over around harvest time which was every 60 days and lasted a few weeks. Had to hide cash in the attic under the insulation. Always paranoid that the grow op would burn down and I would go to jail or my home would burn down and I would lose all the cash I was hiding. FBI came knocking one day with the IRS criminal investigation division. That was the last day I grew, next day I tore it all down And got the best lawyer in the state. Luckily they never pursued me.

I'm curious what type of legal businesses you grew into but I understand if you don't wanna share

 

[Rockclimber]

I'm curious what type of legal businesses you grew into but I understand if you don't wanna share

Started several and they are all ones that accept cash as a primary form of payment. Mix that in with credit cards and you have a perfect money laundering operation.
The reason I went down that route is because the CID was visiting me due to me depositing $9,000 a week into my bank account. I figured it was better to launder it through a business. Eventually I ran through all of the cash and the businesses had to fund My Lifestyle on their own. Thankfully they had several years to get up and running. The one my wife works at right now makes almost as much money as we did illegally. I think most of us on here have a high tolerance for illegal activities. Honestly it's probably more risky me ordering raws online than it was me growing... statistically speaking.

 

[Holidaypay]

Taxes bro I said that mine got taken because of old 1099 form taxes I never payed when I had my own business she was sad for me an never saw it coming best of luck bud its almost that time of year

 

[Been There Done That]

Started several and they are all ones that accept cash as a primary form of payment. Mix that in with credit cards and you have a perfect money laundering operation.
The reason I went down that route is because the CID was visiting me due to me depositing $9,000 a week into my bank account. I figured it was better to launder it through a business. Eventually I ran through all of the cash and the businesses had to fund My Lifestyle on their own. Thankfully they had several years to get up and running. The one my wife works at right now makes almost as much money as we did illegally. I think most of us on here have a high tolerance for illegal activities. Honestly it's probably more risky me ordering raws online than it was me growing... statistically speaking.

That last part is pretty depressing considering the context.

 

[master.on]

So thinking ahead, as I obviously need to say but Holy shit, I didn't realize rings were as expensive as they are. Looks like the general price point for a 1 carat, near colorless, ideal cut, nearly flawless is like $6k. I guess I had it in my head that 1 carats started around 3500 and 2 carats were more like $6,000. Damn!

I've been doing quite a bit of research and looking on JamesAllen which is cool because they photographed thousands of diamonds they have for sale and you can actually see them side by side.

How did you guys manage to budget for your fiance/wife's ring? How big did you go with? I know there's a few guys on here who are in great careers making far more than the rest of us though. So for those of you under $60k per year, what did you do?

Realistically it's looking like something that would take me a long time to save for. No wonder why we have so many members turned sources lol.

Don't fall for it
Any $200 look-alike will do
save those grands for kitchen cabinets or some other home appliances.

If the girl doesn't understand it, then you got the wrong girl.
I'm sorry to be that blunt, but that's just the way it is.

 

[master.on]

I had a 20,000 watt cannabis grow op before it was legal. $4,000 a pound wholesale back then. Also had a full time job for cover. Was bringing in closer to $480,000 a year. Got in and got out as fast as I could... around 5 years at that size. Started out at 8,000 watts and grew into the 20,000. Used that money to build legitimate businesses later and went legit around 6 years ago. Very stressful time of my life, close calls with the FBI and IRS CID but worth it in the end. Used a top load washing machine with 220u bags to make hash with the trimmings. Ended up with like 2oz bubble hash per harvest. 73u and 25u... Craziness.

Keep us posted with your Increlex IGF-1 log.
You CAN afford it.

 

[Rockclimber]

Keep us posted with your Increlex IGF-1 log.
You CAN afford it.

Lol, just GH for me. Almost anyone can afford $10 a day for gh. Wouldn't know where to get legit igf anyway.

 

[master.on]

Lol, just GH for me. Almost anyone can afford $10 a day for gh. Wouldn't know where to get legit igf anyway.

Some doctors will prescribe anything for $
Increlex ain't watched, so it's safe for them to prescribe.

 

[jackthegripper2]

Let's be honest brother there's a 50% chance that you will get divorced and she will keep the ring. What are you willing to pay for it now? Seriously though don't go blowing too much money on an engagement ring. If she wants or Demands a large ring your with the wrong girl anyway.

I'll give you my experience this was around thirteen years ago though. At the time I was making $400,000 a year before taxes and I spent only $7,500 on her ring. It's around two ct, back then money went further.

After we'de been together 10 years I turned around and bought her a ladies Presidential Rolex with over 400 diamonds on it. Cost was around $45,000. So my thinking is the longer we Stay Together the more expensive things I buy for her. At the beginning it's a crapshoot divorce could come from anywhere and my lady and I have had our share of problems. We could have been divorced by now as well but we've made things work just like any couple has to. You guys are going to grow apart and put back together if it's just the nature of the Beast.

My advice for what it's worth is at $60,000 a year go with the $3,000 ring, spend the rest of the money on your house if you both live together. You can always upgrade later as you live together longer. If you really want to stretch it take 10% of your income and buy a ring that's going to be $6,000 and way out of your budget in my humble opinion. Again like I said if this girl is really wanting a large ring and pushing for it you're with the wrong girl.

Fuckin smart man here.

 

[tenpoundsleft]

Diamonds are a scam - utter waste of money

 

[jackthegripper2]

Diamonds are a scam - utter waste of money

LOL

 

[JohnnyD]

Go to a local independent jeweler, maybe get a recommendation from a friend or family member. A lot of these places, if you come in with cash (if you can swing it), they’ll knock the price down significantly and probably won’t even charge you sales tax, especially if they know you or your friends etc.

I saved thousands off the list price and not paying sales tax doing it this way. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Of course if you go to a national chain store or whatever your options for negotiation are pretty limited

Good luck with everything and I won’t be bitter like these other guys and mention divorce lol

 

[hunterbro]

I would go to Pricescope forum. Ask the question. Buy from who they tell you to after you pick from stones they suggest. Honest and knowledgeable dudes with nothing to gain by helping you. James Allen, WhiteFlash, BlueNile, etc...

 

[Brandaddy]

Man, i can totally relate to this. We're going to Miami in a couple weeks for the 10x growth con. I figured it would be a good time to propose. I ran to the store one day to look at rings. They had a "cheap" one for $2,500. Naturally my wannabe alpha male instincts kicked in and i said, "Well, what does a slightly above average ring look like." It literally just had a not even really noticably bigger center stone and a few smaller stones next to it that you can hardly see and it was $7,000. Lol. Then my cheapskate instincts kicked in and I was thinking, "Hmm... for 1/3 of the cost i can get one that looks almost as good..." Lol. Ended up settling on this. All I can say is they are definitely scams, but I guess when it comes down to it. It means something to her to show it off. So whatever.

 

[Rockclimber]

Man, i can totally relate to this. We're going to Miami in a couple weeks for the 10x growth con. I figured it would be a good time to propose. I ran to the store one day to look at rings. They had a "cheap" one for $2,500. Naturally my wannabe alpha male instincts kicked in and i said, "Well, what does a slightly above average ring look like." It literally just had a not even really noticably bigger center stone and a few smaller stones next to it that you can hardly see and it was $7,000. Lol. Then my cheapskate instincts kicked in and I was thinking, "Hmm... for 1/3 of the cost i can get one that looks almost as good..." Lol. Ended up settling on this. All I can say is they are definitely scams, but I guess when it comes down to it. It means something to her to show it off. So whatever.

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That looks really nice brother. She will be very happy!

 

[Evom1]

Man, i can totally relate to this. We're going to Miami in a couple weeks for the 10x growth con. I figured it would be a good time to propose. I ran to the store one day to look at rings. They had a "cheap" one for $2,500. Naturally my wannabe alpha male instincts kicked in and i said, "Well, what does a slightly above average ring look like." It literally just had a not even really noticably bigger center stone and a few smaller stones next to it that you can hardly see and it was $7,000. Lol. Then my cheapskate instincts kicked in and I was thinking, "Hmm... for 1/3 of the cost i can get one that looks almost as good..." Lol. Ended up settling on this. All I can say is they are definitely scams, but I guess when it comes down to it. It means something to her to show it off. So whatever.

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Nice job man! I think we all have that mindset of wanting to go bigger

 

[jackthegripper2]

Man, i can totally relate to this. We're going to Miami in a couple weeks for the 10x growth con. I figured it would be a good time to propose. I ran to the store one day to look at rings. They had a "cheap" one for $2,500. Naturally my wannabe alpha male instincts kicked in and i said, "Well, what does a slightly above average ring look like." It literally just had a not even really noticably bigger center stone and a few smaller stones next to it that you can hardly see and it was $7,000. Lol. Then my cheapskate instincts kicked in and I was thinking, "Hmm... for 1/3 of the cost i can get one that looks almost as good..." Lol. Ended up settling on this. All I can say is they are definitely scams, but I guess when it comes down to it. It means something to her to show it off. So whatever.

View attachment 104082

Not bad. Now talk to me about this 10X conference? Grant Cardone?