I agree that stainless steel is bad for coffee (glass-vacuum carafes are cheap and effective), but it usually takes awhile, an hour or more, before I notice a significant change in flavor from exposure to steel. On the rare occasion that I cannot avoid using a travel mug, I use this thermos tumbler.
Braces cost is around $4000-$6000. Braces cost $3,000-$10,000 depending on location and also on what kind of dentist does them, general dentist (cheaper) or orthodontist (more expensive). In European countries Braces usually cost about $5,000 nowadays.
This is partly because she pays less for malpractice insurance. In a small town braces typically cost $3,000, according to a Costhelper report. In cities the average is $5,000, and the price can be as much as $10,000 depending upon the dentist and how much work is needed.