My boyfriend gave me a ring for my Birthday that he didnt even pay for. Why he gotta act so cheap?

it's a ring his mother gave to him. He said his mother told him to give the ring to somebody who's very dear to his heart and somebody that he cares about a lot.. no he's mother is not deceased. shes well and alive. He told me had a suprise for me for my birthday. THATS the suprise. i thought it would bigger than that. I just think he faked this whole sentimental ring story so he wouldnt have to buy me anything. He has 2 jobs. He's 24 and I'm 20.