...to want to get engaged...

[Boomerwang]

... so that I can stop referring to my boyfriend as 'my boyfriend' and rather 'my fiance'?

'Boyfriend' sounds so... childish? 'Partner' sounds too anonymous. Could be a woman, or that my relationship isn't serious, or that I prefer not to specify. 'Fella' 'Bloke' 'Man' doesn't give the respect he deserves. 'Other half' I feel the same way about as both 'Partner' and 'Fella/Bloke/Man'

I think 'fiance' shows our intention to commit to one another and our baby when it comes along, including the sharing of home, finances, chores, time, energy, family relationships etc...

Or am I outdated/stupid/ignorant/pathetic etc?

I know this is a trivial subject, it's meant to be :)

Why not use his name? Why do you have to label him at all?

I would use his name but then I'd have to add in brackets (my boyfriend) afterwards so people didn't think I was talking about a random bloke (on here)

And yes, I can't afford milk, however my mother has suggested I try to get some cheap powdered milk for the calcium at the very least.

Sweden are shit about providing benefits to people who don't work and aren't born here.

For the keen eyed, I just made a thread about trying to make potato wedges but they were brought over by MrbutnotmarriedBoomerwang's parents two days ago for his birthday.

They brought a cake too.. the potatoes weren't his birthday present...

Anyway 'manfriend' sounds to me like something you hear old ladies say about old men who pop round for a chat now and then...

I suppose until I've got the nerve to propose he'll have to stay as a boyfriend, won't he?

No you're not a knob! I use it in reference to mine. I just like that it explains that we are getting married (whoooo, only 14 months to go!!).

Setfire, how on earth does it show that you're desperate???? Do you feel the same way about the term 'husband".... "oooh good god, she can't say "husband", its just showing off that someone wanted to legally demonstrate their commitment"?

for my own reasons I am thinking of popping the question to my dp on the 29th - go for it ! Can you sell something on ebay and get a cheap ring with the cash?

OP, can't your boyfriend buy you some milk??
If he won't get in the basics you need while you are in this situation I would be thinking very hard about whether I wanted him to be my husband.

Even when I was engaged i only ever referred to him as me fella or just used his name.

Tis just a term, the fact that he's yours should be the thing that matters.

NW it's not just milk it's a lot of things we have to cut back on. Sweden is a very expensive place to live. It costs approx £1.79 for the cheapest brand of milk in a 1.5l size. I'd rather be in the UK but until we have the cash to come over I'm stuck here...

If I absolutely desperately had to get money I know my parents back in the UK would help, but they already have and I don't like owing money I feel wretched about it. I'm getting loads of help as it is for baby things.

Thank you for the posts guys, I think I'll wait til this stormy financial stuff has calmed a bit before I go making any massive gestures like a proposal. Someone squashed my boyf's (I might use that!) car against a pillar in an underground car park yesterday and broke the wing mirror and door so that's more bad luck and more money down the drain tho I doubt he'll bother to get it fixed.

Boyf it is then, it's shorter anyway :P

Oh I know, Sweden is dead expensive. Don't they get higher wages though? I have family in Scandinavia, and I think they do get paid more.
Good luck with the baby, and do what your mum says about the calcium!

Yep, higher wages, but the increase in the wage is not proportionate to the increase in the cost of living, if you see what I mean. I've never seen a 'value' brand of anything yet, or didn't know it was one by the packaging anyway. The cheapest loaf of bread I've found so far is £2.20 unless you get the small half size ones from the bakery counter where they are £1.50 and tbh I'd rather make my own bread than pay that :)

Every few months my mum sends me cadbury's chocolate, heinz tomato soup and tins of tuna woohoo!

I like your last sentence.

Call him your TunaWooHoo.

YAbu, you get engaged because you plan to get married not because you don't like saying boyfriend.