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.
For metal braces, the average cost is about $3,400 with insurance and $4,900 without insurance. For ceramic braces, the average cost is about $2,600 with insurance and $4,600 without insurance. For Invisalign, the average cost is about $2,100 with insurance and $5,600 without insurance. For lingual braces, the average cost varies considerably from $5,000 to $13,000. Read on for a description of the differences between these different types, along with a few strategies to get a better deal on your braces.