Can’t Purchase Class Ring?

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RandomCadet1234

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Hello, I'm curious to know if it's common for cadets to forego purchasing a class ring? In the event that I lack enough money for the purchase, are there any available loans or forms of assistance that I could use? Personally, I don't see myself wearing it regularly, which would make it feel like an unnecessary expense. Moreover, considering my family's low income, it might be more practical to allocate that money towards other essential needs.
 
RandomCadet1234 said:
Hello, I'm curious to know if it's common for cadets to forego purchasing a class ring? In the event that I lack enough money for the purchase, are there any available loans or forms of assistance that I could use? Personally, I don't see myself wearing it regularly, which would make it feel like an unnecessary expense. Moreover, considering my family's low income, it might be more practical to allocate that money towards other essential needs.
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Whichever company makes your class rings will keep the crest information and manufacturing impressions forever. You can order a class ring when you’re 50, if you feel like it, and those companies don’t miss a trick with other things the crest can be used for. Your alumni association will usually have the information.

Just keep an open mind.
 
RandomCadet1234 said:
Hello, I'm curious to know if it's common for cadets to forego purchasing a class ring? In the event that I lack enough money for the purchase, are there any available loans or forms of assistance that I could use? Personally, I don't see myself wearing it regularly, which would make it feel like an unnecessary expense. Moreover, considering my family's low income, it might be more practical to allocate that money towards other essential needs.
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You do get paid while at the academy (you probably should be able to save 8k a year from pay) and junior year have access to a large loan (30k?) at very, very low interest.

Not something to worry about yet. :)
 
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Osprey123 said:
You do get paid while at the academy (you probably should be able to save 8k a year from pay) and junior year have access to a large loan (30k?) at very, very low interest.

Not something to worry about yet. :)
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8k a year savings?!?

My son brought home like $100 a month net, and it went up a little each year at USNA! He got robbed.

He did use his loan proceeds to buy his ring.
 
You can also buy an inexpensive class ring. Some cadets splurge (like me!), but some buy the bare minimum which is totally fine.
 
So as incoming Class of 2027, I'm curious from this post what the average cost for a male's ring runs?
 
They encourage full class participation - assistance is available to those with a true need
 
A1Janitor said:
8k a year savings?!?

My son brought home like $100 a month net, and it went up a little each year at USNA! He got robbed.

He did use his loan proceeds to buy his ring.
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Looks like they are scheduled to be paid over 36k during their 4 years at USAFA. 8k a year savings may be a bit high. Maybe 7k is more realistic on average. Junior year it looks like around 1k a month. A $300 ring is hopefully manageable unless of course you need to financially help your family.
 
Osprey123 said:
Looks like they are scheduled to be paid over 36k during their 4 years at USAFA. 8k a year savings may be a bit high. Maybe 7k is more realistic on average. Junior year it looks like around 1k a month. A $300 ring is hopefully manageable unless of course you need to financially help your family.
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I never saw a paystub but did his return.

I assume that is gross. Taxes get taken out and my son had uniforms etc taken out. Iirc he brought home like 100 his first year. I am probably wrong.
 
A1Janitor said:
I never saw a paystub but did his return.

I assume that is gross. Taxes get taken out and my son had uniforms etc taken out. Iirc he brought home like 100 his first year. I am probably wrong.
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The base pay for a USAFA cadet is $1185 a month. The yearly gross pay is $14,220. $56,880 is the gross pay for four years. 36k over four years had the expenses already taken out. It is the Net Pay.
 
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There is no requirement to buy a class ring. There is a lot of pressure applied to those that choose not to purchase one. In my day, that included a conversation with the Supe if you chose not to purchase one.

I bought one - I think I wore it three times. I never wore jewelry besides a watch prior to getting married and now wear the wedding band. If you don't want to get one for whatever reason - don't purchase one. I find it comical when other people suggest how you should utilize your personal finances.

Ironically - it used to be a thing where males could buy a class ring for their significant other. Rumor has it the tradition died the first time a female cadet attempted to purchase one for her non-academy boyfriend.
 
Osprey123 said:
Looks like they are scheduled to be paid over 36k during their 4 years at USAFA. 8k a year savings may be a bit high. Maybe 7k is more realistic on average. Junior year it looks like around 1k a month. A $300 ring is hopefully manageable unless of course you need to financially help your family.
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The first two years they will see very little of their gross pay since most of it goes toward the initial loan payment and uniform issue costs. Starting in their third year they may see $500-$800 net depending on what cadet expenses are billed that month. In months with a leave period they may get more as they get their BAS per diem while they are on leave.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
The first two years they will see very little of their gross pay since most of it goes toward the initial loan payment and uniform issue costs. Starting in their third year they may see $500-$800 net depending on what cadet expenses are billed that month. In months with a leave period they may get more as they get their BAS per diem while they are on leave.

Stealth_81
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Usafa cadet base pay is $1185 a month. Net pay is around $7500 the first year WITH expenses taken out the first year (on average).I am looking at both a bank account and the pay schedule.
 
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This is an older cadet budget because I don't have the current one handy.
 

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Osprey123 said:
You do get paid while at the academy (you probably should be able to save 8k a year from pay) and junior year have access to a large loan (30k?) at very, very low interest.

Not something to worry about yet. :)
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LOL. The net pay is literally ~$8K the first two years. So I guess if they literally did nothing outside of the campus and never traveled home, I guess they could save $8K. Now the last two years, assuming you get a car....average cost of true ownership of a car is ~$900 a month, you could save maybe $2K each year...still never traveling anywhere you can't drive.

Yes...grateful for the education, but eyes wide open, they are going to be technically BROKE the entire four years and will need to learn to live frugally if they haven't yet.

So excellent original question on the ring.
 
dahacker said:
LOL. The net pay is literally ~$8K the first two years. So I guess if they literally did nothing outside of the campus and never traveled home, I guess they could save $8K. Now the last two years, assuming you get a car....average cost of true ownership of a car is ~$900 a month, you could save maybe $2K each year...still never traveling anywhere you can't drive.

Yes...grateful for the education, but eyes wide open, they are going to be technically BROKE the entire four years and will need to learn to live frugally if they haven't yet.

So excellent original question on the ring.
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That is not our experience this first year but I'm not going to argue.
 
A1Janitor said:
Did your cadet pay up front for the uniforms etc?

If so - that might be the difference. My son had a deduction for that cost.
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What year is your cadet? The yearly base pay is 14.2k. Paying back 5k a year for the first two years for advances. Net pay is scheduled to be over 8k for year 1.
 
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