<p>*ek4, I bring leftovers for lunch at work everyday. We rarely eat out. *</p>
<p>Good for you- but I sense that you feel very aware that you perceive yourself to have less money and status than your peers, but at the same time you have a hard time acknowledging that in terms of income and education level, you are still above many Americans both immigrant and native born.</p>
<p>You might eat at home, but for some of us, the only vacations we ever take are camping vacations close to home- which can be had for 1/2 tank of gas and $10 a night campsite rental, so any vacations that require a cruise or airfare, let alone a hotel and restaurants can seem pretty plush. </p>
<p>The first time I ever was on an airplane with my spouse was last year, and I have known him since 1976 & we have been married since 1981.</p>
<p>I am not using that as an example of our economic status, but to illustrate we all make choices regarding our finances. For instance I * like * camping and I * like* eating out, & I try and budget accordingly.
When Ds travel, they earn their travel expenses before hand- mostly 
( I did have to exhort D to ship her stuff back home instead of lugging it all around the world- it didn’t need it’s own airline seat)</p>
<p>*When D1 studied abroad in Australia, her tuition was actually less than Cornell, *
My D is planning to study abroad in Australia, but I think we just pay the regular tuition to the school ( but instate- not Cornell level) also study abroad required as part of the major she is planning on- at this point in time.</p>