maybe you were just being a little cavalier
You’re right, that was too cavalier (not just a little).
I still stand by the statement that most could come up with the $5k if they had confidence that it would help, notwithstanding that it might be very difficult. People somehow come up with more than $20k for seminary, with the rationale that it’s necessary for shidduchim (although I’m personally with BPT that it’s not). Also, most “girls” who are 22 and above have been working for a couple of years and have some money saved up.