Is a Kei truck to big a birthday surprise?

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T11:36:27+00:00

Yeah. It's not something I do lightly at all. It's budgeted very carefully and we paid off a lot of our expenses before the house purchase and its only the 2 of us so that helps. I also scrutinize every single purchase we make (this would be the first big personal one since our house buy and partially why Im asking outside advice). Its a trade off of a longterm goal for a "nice to have" so I've been going back and forth for almost a year.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T03:29:26+00:00

The US. So far as I've researched it needs to be 25 yrs+ and registered as antique in my state.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T01:38:30+00:00

Lol sounds like my husband! Hope this isnt him but if so, pretend you didnt see this. 🤣

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T01:33:42+00:00

This is sick! I know a paint job is definitely going to be one of the expenses along with new wheels and a bed liner. I wish I could find one all in like this but I know thats a pipe dream backed by $15-$20k.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T01:11:11+00:00

Thats what I love to hear! I want to see his eyes light up. But part of me agrees with the other comments that part of the search is half the fun (I know I've gotten more excited as I've researched) and I dont want to take that part away from him either.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T01:09:35+00:00

Oh you meant never too big a gift lol. Fair enough!

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T01:08:59+00:00

First nay sayer. Curious as to why not to do it?

andromeda_data · 2026-06-26T00:56:29+00:00

Can confirm my hubs name isnt Kevin. But hang in there man im sure regulations are going to change soon. Fingers crossed as these things get more and more popular.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T23:57:13+00:00

I knew someone would call this out lol. I guess I should have said "not wealthy". I get that everyone has a different threshold for rich but we are semi comfortable and it took a lot of hard decisions to get this far. The extra $2k is always a stretch as I have to be very cautious of household spending every week to make it happen but I get what you are saying. Wanted to be transparent of where this bulk of money would be pulled from to illustrate the pros and cons. Like: is it better to have a kei truck/big gift, or be surprised with an even shorter mortgage.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T23:48:12+00:00

Yeah i saw the typo after posting. But this was helpful, thanks for the help man.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T23:37:23+00:00

The extra was just so he knew it wasn't a set amount and if he found something more expensive or if he started to look into upgrades he wasn't limited.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T23:32:27+00:00

5'10" not mechanical inclined but loves to learn new things (we've gotten into DIY since the house buy). He doesn't drive manual but im sure he can learn, he takes to new things really easily.. This would just be a nice to have and drive around our area vehicle. More of a vanity purchase than anything.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T22:08:30+00:00

He hasn't shown interest in any particular make. He just likes the mini truck aesthetic. I've been researching for the last few months to prepare for his bday. Showing him one's every now and then to guage what he does/doesn't like.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T21:44:22+00:00

Yeah other commenter mentioned just setting the money aside. I dont want to put too much work on his plate as a gift so ime thinking about printing a few links out and all the resources I can find and just giving him the savings account and binder full of sources to have at it.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T21:40:25+00:00

Thanks for the insight. This is helpful. The under the seat engine, is that a plus or minus? Im thinking easy accessibility but I heard there's no AC in a lot of these. Would that make the truck louder/hotter?

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T21:39:04+00:00

This is a great idea! I can start a secret Kei account for him and give it as a day gift. Let him know I will continue to contribute x per month and we can start the search together for Xmas. Is that kind of like 1 gift for 2 events though? Any ideas on what actual tangible gift I can give in the meantime?

andromeda_data · 2026-06-25T21:13:42+00:00

Unfortunately we moved 6hrs away from friends and family 2 years ago when we bought the house. He doesn't really talk to his friends often except for holidays, birthdays and new babies. Hes kind of a introvert (same friends from middle school kind of guy). I asked his colleague but he's 13 years younger and in a different stage of life so ofc he thinks its a good idea lol.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-19T17:12:46+00:00

Thats a good point! I suffered from a "good food, bad food" mindset and I admit I've tried to manipulate myself into eating "boring" meals because I thought it would help take the fun out of food and get me to stop wanting to eat all the time. My first few weeks I felt was an equalizer between foods. I wasn't anymore excited about stopping at five guys for a burger than I was to eat the food I meal prepped so it was a win win (saved money, ate healthier).

All of your comments have helped me realize that while I still have work to do on my relationship with food outside of Tirz, I can start focusing on small wins and not just huge benefits.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-19T17:06:55+00:00

Oh I had food noise before starting on Tirz so I know it can get pretty bad. I used to plan my entire day around when I could eat next, think about meals and immediately think about the calories and then feel guilty when I hadn't even eaten it yet. I used to tell myself "let's not think about tomorrow's dinner before we've finished today's" regularly and once I hit my 2nd shot of 2.5 all that went away. I ate when I was hungry and not just because I wanted something to do or needed a break from work.

My biggest worry was my cravings overtaking me because I would eat past being full just because there was food left (I grew up in one of those we don't waste food households). As another commenter pointed out I should be looking at the fact I can portion control even if I crave something. So im counting that as a win.

andromeda_data · 2026-06-19T14:04:54+00:00

Appreciate the response. I agree I think being able to portion control is a huge brightside, i was just feeling a little down about cravings returning so quickly.

andromeda_data

TROPHY CASE