Cheapest way to go about transitioning

[jasper3]

Finally came out to my family. Over Facebook but nonetheless, I came out. My extended adoptive family, who I have not seen since primary school though are the only ones who accept me surprisingly. But anyway, my dad, sister, brother, and soon-to-be-brother-in-law all got laid off (their companies were pink slipping by the tens to hundreds, damn). And I have very limited money to transition.
So, what are the cheapest ways to go about it? Therapists, without having insurance; binders and packers; cheap ways to pass; etc.
Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[Jamie D]

Finally came out to my family. Over Facebook but nonetheless, I came out. My extended adoptive family, who I have not seen since primary school though are the only ones who accept me surprisingly. But anyway, my dad, sister, brother, and soon-to-be-brother-in-law all got laid off (their companies were pink slipping by the tens to hundreds, damn). And I have very limited money to transition.
So, what are the cheapest ways to go about it? Therapists, without having insurance; binders and packers; cheap ways to pass; etc.
Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

What did transgenders do 100 years ago?  Before hormones?  Before therapists?  Before SRS?

Just be yourself.

[jasper3]

I have a very female body and face. I've almost an hourglass shape with a very innocent, young face. If I do look male, I'd look like a preschool boy. I wouldn't look my age.

[Adio]

Unfortunately in MS without much money, it will be rather difficult to transition.  Being young doesn't help things.  I'd suggest (if you haven't already) phoning up the therapist I gave you and seeing what her sliding scale is. 

There are some websites (including this one) where people either give away binders for free or for just shipping.  I don't have the time this morning to find the links but there is one called Big Brother I think.  FTM Garage Sale is another maybe.

The cheapest packer is the Mr Limpy.  It goes for about $12-16 before shipping.

Cheapest ways to pass...not really sure what you mean.  Probably the best place to start is a short, masculine haircut from a barber.  Shouldn't cost more than $10.  If you don't have a large men's wardrobe, there are several Good Will thrift stores on the Coast.  Men's clothing there ranges from about $3 to $7.

[smittyFTM]

I would also suggest reaching out to guys who, say, have had chest surgery and are giving away or selling their binders for cheap. I'm all about recycling & getting things cheaply myself

Also, until you can afford a packer, you can always use the ol' rolled-up sock technique.

Best of luck!

[jasper3]

That's the problem for me, I'm a germaphobe. I am literally afraid to buy used clothing at donation centres and things. I just get paranoid about germs and such. I'm trying to get over it, but I just can't stop thinking about coughing and sneezing, etc.

And I asked my dad if I could use his laptop to look up the therapist and find information and contacts, and he kind of won't let me see a new therapist, especially if he or she is not in my city. He isn't a fan of leaving our side of the city.

And I don't get paid except $20-40 every week or every two weeks, sometimes three.

Also, until you can afford a packer, you can always use the ol' rolled-up sock technique.

I don't own socks, if that isn't strange. how do I do that technique?

[Natkat]

theres really No cheap way to be transgender,
being "cheapest" would depends on your location and situation.

for some people being cheap is to take the hospital nearby to make top surgery, for other its to travel to German insteed of US..

But I dont find being "cheap" to be any good guide line for transition maybe for clothing and such its okay to be cheap, but if we go to the body point, then you should pay more for a result you would like the rest of your life, than just go the cheap way with something who might not work, or be that great.

[jasper3]

I've always been pampered since I was adopted. expensive brands, getting anything I ever desired, books, art supplies costing over thousands, having the master bedroom of the house, everything. But I'm not used to havi no money at my expense like now. I even have a real leather Prada case just for my art supplies, and Gucci belt that I've never even wore.
I don't even know clothes that are cheap, or anything.

[smittyFTM]

I've always been pampered since I was adopted. expensive brands, getting anything I ever desired, books, art supplies costing over thousands, having the master bedroom of the house, everything. But I'm not used to havi no money at my expense like now. I even have a real leather Prada case just for my art supplies, and Gucci belt that I've never even wore.
I don't even know clothes that are cheap, or anything.

I don't mean to be a dick & I realise you are simply explaining your experience of privilege, but you may have a hard time getting a lot of sympathy by pointing out such things. 
Maybe sell said Prada case and unworn Gucci belt??

[jasper3]

I'm sorry if I sound unattractively snobbish. I would gladly sell them except for the belt. It's a girl's belt and absolutely hideous but my real dad (dead navy guy) gave my step dad the money to buy it for me and I can't sell it and the Prada bag was a gift. I hate being rude, but I hate being selfish at the same time. I donate all my things when I grow out of them. I've donated 5-6 or even more whole boxes of toys to my local good will.
I'm sorry.

[jasper3]

And my dad doesn't like selling things, I donate everything.

[Kreuzfidel]

I realise you probably aren't aware of it, but it seems like for every suggestion someone gives you, you have a retort/reason why you "can't" do it.  If you want to transition badly enough, you're going to have to toughen up and make sacrifices.  There are heaps of websites like Hudson's FTM guide that tell you all kinds of techniques.

[supremecatoverlord]

I realise you probably aren't aware of it, but it seems like for every suggestion someone gives you, you have a retort/reason why you "can't" do it. 

I was about to post something along the same lines.
But seriously, if the OP is not going to listen or reject every suggestion, asking for help actually becomes pretty useless.

[jasper3]

I haven't a backbone at all.
I try to assert myself and state what i want and that im adamant to do whatever to achieve my wishes but my inferiority complex always seems to convince me that I should just give up and bend to fit other people's wants.

[GhostTown11]

I haven't a backbone at all.
I try to assert myself and state what i want and that im adamant to do whatever to achieve my wishes but my inferiority complex always seems to convince me that I should just give up and bend to fit other people's wants.

Xs small sports bra(compression) your new binder.

Guys clothes-target or walmart

Measuring tape to figure out your size in clothes.

20$ hair clippers at kmart--your new buzz cut or ask a friend to give you something simple like a faux hawk

That's pretty much it, about hormones you could always wait because t will masculinize you greatly about as good at 18 than at 15.

Oh and stop shaving or plucking anything. No makeup. Just no effort other than to be hygienic and presentable.

I do the above and I'm biologically male^^ as for parents well....idk*shugs*

[jasper3]

Once I turn 18 I don't think foster parents have any control over me, so that isn't much to worry about.

And I don't think my city has a Kmart, I can't remember ever going to one except when I was a tiny little kid living with my mom. But we do have a Walmart. I've never heard of target.
I can do my own hair, I prefer long hair, I'm a skater in training (trying to convince my dad to give me more than 20 minutes a day outside) lol
And how do I take measurements?
No make up? ...oh god.

[GhostTown11]

Once I turn 18 I don't think foster parents have any control over me, so that isn't much to worry about.

And I don't think my city has a Kmart, I can't remember ever going to one except when I was a tiny little kid living with my mom. But we do have a Walmart. I've never heard of target.
I can do my own hair, I prefer long hair, I'm a skater in training (trying to convince my dad to give me more than 20 minutes a day outside) lol
And how do I take measurements?
No make up? ...oh god.

It doesn't have to be a kmart it could be a ny general store Jesus Christ!lol

You take measurements by measuring sweety. Measure your hips at the fullest part of your butt. Chest across your nipple area once you have already binded.

I get the feeling you're being unnecessarily obtuse at this point. And you don't need a packer to pass, that's bull. If you want one to just feel something there fine, but if you're wearing jeans that are thorp jeans trust me no one will see. Men WISH they had visible packages like that

[jasper3]

As my schoolmates say, "this kid lacks common sense and common knowledge except for what 'she' can find in a textbook or any other book."
I am bad in the sense that I take things a little too literal and I do kind of lack social skills and 'common sense'. I'm diagnosed with aspergers syndrome; autism.
Inference is something I lack, as well.

[AdamMLP]

Things that cost money generally make it more comfortable and easier to pass, but with the exception of binders for large chested guys, a lot of the time you don't need to buy anything really.

I'm fortunate to have quite a masculine face, but also I'm incredibly short, 4th shortest in my school year (and two of them are the shortest people I've ever seen without having dwarfism) so my chances of passing are probably about the same as anyone's, and for a variety of reasons I don't do anything other than dress how I want and act how I want and I pass.  The only time I think about mannerisms is when I'm being seen as male by one person and everyone else around me knows me as female, I try to actively pass so they don't realise and draw attention to thinking I was male by correcting themselves.

I also know what it's like to have had more money than you do currently, we used to have money but now we don't, for reasons out of our control.  When things like that happen you've just got to swallow your pride and adjust the way you've been used to living.  For you that might mean selling everything that isn't necessary or often used (you'll be surprised how much you don't need, I'm clearing out to move and have filled about three boxes already of stuff I want to sell) and changing where you shop.  I live in the UK so I don't know what sort of places you have to shop in over there, but just look around, you can get some pretty good deals if you look around.

[smittyFTM]

I realise you probably aren't aware of it, but it seems like for every suggestion someone gives you, you have a retort/reason why you "can't" do it.  If you want to transition badly enough, you're going to have to toughen up and make sacrifices.  There are heaps of websites like Hudson's FTM guide that tell you all kinds of techniques.

^This. OP, you're making it rather difficult for folks to help you. Sorry, mate but it's true....