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.
As with anything, it is important to consider many factors when shopping for the best price. In short the average cost of braces in 2012 is $5,200. While this is the average across the United States, the range stems from $2,500 up to over $9,000 depending on the case.