I've thought about what I would do in your situation. One way to counter the "you're cheap and don't love me enough to spend the money" thoughts that she may h

I've thought about what I would do in your situation. One way to counter the "you're cheap and don't love me enough to spend the money" thoughts that she may have is to spend the same amount of money. Say you buy her some kind of ring whatever setting / stone / etc... The rest of the "3 month's salary" marketing that has been shoved upon us you could donate to charity or give away to relatives, homeless or whatever. That along with explaining your rationale as someone else suggested would be good too. Show her resources online. Hearing it from someone else can help, show her you're not the only one. If you're still at a deadlock after that well, take it or leave it...