Affording Top Surgery

[D0LL]

So, I've been looking around and found a surgeon that has a lot of great feedback and her office is literally a two minute drive from my house and just a few buildings down from my work. This would save me hundreds of dollars that would have otherwise been spent on travel expenses. I know I've still yet to start T, but I definitely want to be able to get top surgery within the year.

Unfortunately, I don't know how I'm going to be able to afford this right now. I've still got 2k to pay on my car (although if need be I could stretch that out and pay it slowly over the next two years since I just refinanced), and I don't know if I should focus on paying it off first or not. I get the feeling paying off my car would put me in better standing with my bank (credit union), so I'd be more likely to be approved for a larger personal loan. I have great credit for someone my age, but I'm not sure if it's enough credit background to approve me for such a hefty loan (this doctor charges around $7k, the same as my car loan I'm trying to pay off). I've gotten two new credit cards in the past few months (that I barely use), and I'm not sure if applying for another one anytime soon would help or hurt my credit status (I'm wondering if I can't get the full thing in a personal loan if I might be able to put some of it on a few different credit cards).

So, in the meantime, I've started putting away a few dollars here and there whenever I can, and I'm hoping over time it'll add up to a decent amount (I've saved about $100 this month). I'm shopping a lot less (which is easier when you're not constantly buying new female clothes wondering why you're constantly unhappy with everything you just bought), and I'm trying to not eat out much at all. I'm only taking my dog to Petsmart to pick out new toys every once in a while now, and only buy her the cheaper treats (she understands). I've saved a LOT of money so far by not having to buy all my female hormone supps (I spent well over $100 each month), I'm putting off buying new shoes until the soles fall out, and I'm satisfied with my cheap "drug dealer's" phone (as my bf calls it). I'm not constantly having to buy shampoo, conditioner, and hair dye now, and I've cut back on Pokemon cards and My Little Pony packs (dead serious), which is great for my wallet. I'm not buying beer as often (can't drink on my diet pills, it just turns out bad) and I'm letting people know I can't go out and travel much because of money issues. I think overall I'm managing to save a good bit of money, and I'm generally surprised at how happy I am despite making these sacrifices (although hitting the gym harder and more often probably helps take my mind off of it).

As a bipolar person, it's incredibly hard to save money sometimes. So I try to put off buying the things I need until I get a shopping urge, that way I'm not buying extra stuff. I might look into cutting coupons to save a little extra, and will probably join a wholesale club again. I'm starting a T-shirt company with my mom, and we seem to be getting a good number of orders in so far, but I'm not sure how lucrative it'll actually be, so I'm not counting on that as steady income.

So, for those who've managed to save up for this, how did you find a way to save up? What costs did you cut that saved you the most money, and how did it affect your social life? Did you save it all in cash or did you apply for a loan? Has anyone been successful at any type of fundraising online for this sort of thing?

[randomroads]

Congrats on your commitment to cut corners and save money!

[Kreuzfidel]

So, for those who've managed to save up for this, how did you find a way to save up? What costs did you cut that saved you the most money, and how did it affect your social life? Did you save it all in cash or did you apply for a loan? Has anyone been successful at any type of fundraising online for this sort of thing?

To be honest, moving countries is the only reason I am able to have top surgery.  I am American by birth, but moved to Australia with my wife in 2010.  Had I stayed in the U.S., I would never have afforded top surgery with the minimum wage and the location that I was in (Louisiana). 

In Australia, there doesn't seem to be the culture amongst trans guys of "saving up for top surgery" the same as there is in America.  No doubt it's due to the Australian healthcare system (Medicare) and the affordability of private insurance.  Medical costs in Australia aren't nearly as astronomical as they seem to be in the U.S. - it seems that more people are able to afford treatment here simply because our incomes are higher and we can afford them (as well as the insurance premiums).

"Saving up" wasn't really an issue for me and my wife - we have two incomes, make close to $80,000 AUD per year and have private hospital insurance which covers the cost of my top surgery.  We have personal savings, as well - but even then, the real expenses for us are the travel costs and hotel stays, etc.

Maybe it's combined with the fact that we don't spend a lot of money to begin with - neither of us are interested in much of a social life and we like to stay home on weekends and play computer games.  So I suppose it all balances out.

[tomthom]

donating eggs is lucrative if you're into that.

[Mr.X]

donating eggs is lucrative if you're into that.

Not sure this would be an option for a transman on T. Aren't you pumped full of female hormones in order to release more than one egg? Sounds absolutely horrible to me.

[aleon515]

Not sure this would be an option for a transman on T. Aren't you pumped full of female hormones in order to release more than one egg? Sounds absolutely horrible to me.

Yeah to me too. There's bound to be someone who would do this, but the amt of hormones is very high and has a lot of effects that you might REALLY dislike.
You can save a LOT of money doing some things you wouldn't think of, but they add up.

--Jay

[wheat thins are delicious]

Not sure this would be an option for a transman on T. Aren't you pumped full of female hormones in order to release more than one egg? Sounds absolutely horrible to me.

I believe you also have to fit certain criteria.  I've heard the donation requirements are more involved than sperm donation. 

[Nyri]

donating eggs is lucrative if you're into that.

I filled out an application to do this, and I'm not sure if I was denied because I live too far from a clinic, or because of my manly picture (had to include a picture on the application). 

I would never be able to afford even hormones where I'm at now.  Fortunately I basically realized I was trans at about the same time I realized what I wanted to do with my life (which meant going back to school) so since I was going back to school anyway, I mostly looked at colleges with student insurance that covers transition... of course I was looking for a lot of other things, and I think I found one that will be perfect for me.  Wait until I get there and hate it or something...

It is great that you've put so much effort into saving up!  Once I have an income again, I'm going to make a new bank account where I keep money that is only for transitioning and nothing else.  Even with the insurance it will cost a fair amount in copays and stuff.

[D0LL]

Not sure this would be an option for a transman on T. Aren't you pumped full of female hormones in order to release more than one egg? Sounds absolutely horrible to me.

I just got off female hormones, there's no way I'd go back! I'd considered this as an idea when I needed money before (without looking into it), but I know they're pretty strict and I'm not exactly "good egg" quality, regardless of the fact that my PCOS is undocumented. >.>

I like how I posted this right before realizing my transmission is definitely going up. Good timing, world. So now I'm looking at either shelling out $1.5k+ (I live in an expensive area for car repairs, so it would likely be even higher) and completely replacing the trans (ha), or paying my car off right away and trading it in for another cheap vehicle.

I know it seems like a simple choice (why buy another vehicle if you're saving up for top surgery?), but quite honestly, I LOVE driving, and it's become so boring for me with an automatic. I almost dislike driving at this point, which, given my new job as a DRIVER, makes me kind of hate my job. :/ So either option I choose will have me kicking myself in the ass. I just can't win. I've looked into swapping the auto for manual since I need to replace it anyway, but that seems to cost most people around $3k to get it done in a shop (so around $4k+ in my area). IN OTHER WORDS to make my car enjoyable will cost almost as much as buying a newer model would.

On one hand, I've been looking at myself in the mirror lately and can see how masculine I'd look without breasts. On the other hand, once I put my shirt on and go out to my beat-up car, I get depressed listening to all the little problem noises coming from my wimpy automatic V6.

*SIGH*

I WOULD SAY ON THE PLUS SIDE, I'VE SAVED UP $130 NOW. But in all reality there's a good chance that money's gonna have to go towards my car. I've already come to terms with the fact that I'm probably not going to be making it to Otakon this year (at least that gives me another year to bulk up for my Resident Evil cosplay).

[King Malachite]

I WOULD SAY ON THE PLUS SIDE, I'VE SAVED UP $130 NOW. But in all reality there's a good chance that money's gonna have to go towards my car. I've already come to terms with the fact that I'm probably not going to be making it to Otakon this year

As a person who aspires to go to Anime Expo to cosplay after getting top surgery (which is years off) I feel your pain. *hugs*

If you have still to sell perhaps that can help.  I just made $30 today by selling a video game and that's going into my top surgery fund.  I'm going to try to pay in all cash.

You could also use any talents you have to make money or join fiverr to sell a service

[AdamMLP]

If your area's so expensive for car repairs/alters, then could you drive away to somewhere that's cheaper and still be better off even regarding petrol money?  Every little helps, right?

[randomroads]

Cripes, I'm sorry to hear about your transmission. Have you looked into having it rebuilt? Sometimes that's cheaper, depending on the model and what's wrong with it. Although on the other hand, if you don't like your car I can definitely understand wanting to pay it off fast and trade it for something different.

[D0LL]

If your area's so expensive for car repairs/alters, then could you drive away to somewhere that's cheaper and still be better off even regarding petrol money?  Every little helps, right?

I'd probably have to drive further than my car would be able to go. ^^;

I've decided I'll just get the trans replaced with another automatic (unfortunately). I feel like even if I were to get a decent price, I'd have trouble finding someone actually capable of doing something like that around here. So I'm just gonna hope that having a Mustang that can make it over 60mph will be enough to turn me back onto driving again, automatic or not. Hopefully speeding will put the excitement back in driving (it's embarrassing being passed by hybrids). I'm also going to buy a radar detector and a hardwiring kit for those times when I don't have my delivery car topper on.

So, I'll get the trans redone now, hopefully get top surgery within the year, all the while doing little improvements here and there on my car that'll keep me enjoying it, and then after all that's paid or mostly paid off, I'll finally look into getting a manual truck in addition to my car (since that was the original plan after paying off and pimping out my car anyway). Even though I know things will likely change the situation over this time, I still like to have a goal for myself and what I'm striving for.

@Malachite
I've been considering starting to draw again (I draw mostly anime, but quite honestly it isn't my forte, and I think I'm better at realistic portraits). I could at least try to get cheap commissions here and there, plus it would be great to be practicing again, I miss it. I doubt it would make a huge impact on my savings, but every bit helps. If I produce enough stuff, maybe I could finally get a table at Otakon like I've been planning for years and sell some stuff with a few of my friends. I've been on and off depressed lately, and so I'm thinking that even if I go this year, I probably won't cosplay, that way I have a year to bulk up for my Leon cosplay so I don't feel so inadequate. Which, honestly, would suck to go and not cosplay (that's the main thing I enjoy), but I'm my friend's only ride now, so I'd feel bad not going just because I'm depressed. Even though that would be more money to go towards my surgery. =___=

[King Malachite]

@Malachite
I've been considering starting to draw again (I draw mostly anime, but quite honestly it isn't my forte, and I think I'm better at realistic portraits). I could at least try to get cheap commissions here and there, plus it would be great to be practicing again, I miss it. I doubt it would make a huge impact on my savings, but every bit helps. If I produce enough stuff, maybe I could finally get a table at Otakon like I've been planning for years and sell some stuff with a few of my friends.

On top of that. you can also combine that with top surgery fundraising.  Lets say you do get the table at Otakon.  Whatever you don't sell, you could put it on a fundraiser site and if someone donates x amount for your top surgery, they can get your piece......or even have a customized piece.  I've also seen a couple of artists sell their talents on Craigslist

[D0LL]

^ I like that idea. I'll have to look around some more and see what other people are doing to raise money for expensive stuff like this.

GOOD NEWS! (For once.)

I checked around a few places, and the typical cost of doing a ->-bleeped-<- rebuild around here is $2,500. Yikes! So I went to my alternative option: I found a used trans with a 1 year guarantee on it for just $620, and I'm having it shipped to my favourite shop out of all the ones I called. They're barely on the pricier end, but they really took the time to talk to me to try to find a solution. Not too many mechanics have great people skills, and I really value that. So, after labor, we're talking around $1,100 as opposed to $2,500! I won't have to take out any loans, and I'll still be able to make it to Otakon!

Also, I'm learning that my work will pick up a LOT of business around fall, so that should really help me pay off my car and prepare to get a new loan! I'd LOVE to get top surgery as soon as this winter. Maybe this will actually happen.