thebibliosphere:

This remains one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. It’s a self help book from the 1930s called Orchids On Your Budget, and it’s phenomenal. Apparently husbands are more detrimental to your budget than diamonds. And the discerning lady of quality knows that diamonds are both a) forever and b) never going to make you look bad in public. So pick carefully.

Of course if one is fortunate enough to find a manageable fellow inclined toward domestic bliss rather than tom foolery, one can always have HIM buy the diamonds. The truly discerning lady can have both her cake and the whipped cream, should she want it.