Depends on the stuff he has already.
If he spends "X" amount of dollars for TV's nice houses and cars ALREADY and then buys you some piece of shit ring (or claims he has no money ) then thats where his priorities are at. You are obviously not important, and it will always be that way.
If he spends more money on a TV, or a second car than a ring you will wear forever....thats a problem!
And if he really does not have enough money to buy a ring, or has to put it on credit, why not wait??? People are always in a hurry to get married. Wait until he has enough money to pay for it ; a nice one ; in cash. If he cant afford a ring, maybe it wont hurt to wait? I bet money problems would suck right off the bat. There are enough things to fight about. lol.
I think the ring = sacrifice. I know a guy my SIL is seeing and is living with. No ring yet but he has motorcycles, and multiple cars. Hmmmmmm. Cant even sell one bike for a ring for that awesome girl? Guess not.