That is a disadvantage, in a way. Your Mom would like that you find someone that would pay often her air tickets from the States. ;-)

On a more serious note, I have found out that money habits prevent me from meeting younger people, who are not so well off. And friends do influence you, for example I felt this way when I had to choose my car. I really struggled to have it my own way (figuring what I really want).

That was the big lesson from it for me — being in such situations makes me think hard what do I REALLY want, and this is a very precious skill in life.