happy transition with out spending a ton of money?

[stephaniec]

I'm just curious. I heard a lot of stories on Susan's about spending quite a lot of money. Money on electro, ffs, orchi, srs ect.. I know srs is of extreme importance for my mental well being and where there's a will there's a way. All these other procedures are totally impossible for me to attain. unless William Buffet takes me as a charity case. I'm moving forward with HRT because I need it and it's affordable. Am I totally misguided in thinking I can achieve at least a minimum amount of success in living the woman I am. This is in no way to be taken in any other way then a curious question about whether I can attain at least a minimum about of satisfaction to live my life. This has no implication what so ever on any one else's ability to attain their goals.

[innainka]

In my humble opinion, transition can be very fluid and comfortable as one may wish for if transitioning at a young age, and what I mean is 4-14, LOL!!!

the longer the clock goes around the dial, the more crusted deposit of living out the life of impostor!

Traits, and physique slowly mold us into the given gender role, despite the feeling of regret, we must obey, otherwise, outcast, deprived,  disowned.

Testosterone, a highly poisonous compound will then bulk and thicken feminine proportion into a more and more thick and bloky avatar of a masculine stance.

Many young 20 somethings morph into a new avatar quite beautifully, and for them SRS remains the holy grail of wholeness.
Unfortunately for the rest, transgender land seems to be the designated ground, that is until they realize that whats between legs is profoundly personal, yet the calling card for every other aspect of life remains fixed within their masculine face.

To think that SRS will make one a woman within societal scrutiny is rather futile. What they see is how they react!
In my humble opinion FFS remains the most important piece of correction, when within the guidelines of societal scrutiny.

Ease of every day living, working, and almost everything that goes on in ones life, besides the need of partnership, is satisfied with good FFS.
Now, transition is a full package deal, not only face and genitals are transformed, but the entirety of self, so the rest however is way more in the hands of transitioner and requires way less monetary investment, such as speech, mannerism, poise, ect....

[Oriah]

I've managed on a rock bottom budget, and I'm extremely happy with my transition....but I've taken some extreme measures to keep costs down

[Allyda]

I, like you will have to have SRS eventually for my well being. I'm so repulsed by whats down there now....well, you get the idea. Anyway, I too have limited financial ability so as far as the other surgeries go it may take a miracle if I need them. However before considering any surgery (with the exception of SRS cause I know this has to be done) I want to give hrt at least two years to do it's thing. I will then better be able to evaluate if I even need FFS or a trachea shave (I don't have much of an adams apple anyway). As far as being happy? At the moment I'm very happy to be on hrt and moving forward. I'll just have to wait and see on the rest after a few years have passed

[Jenna Marie]

For what it's worth, my entire transition excluding GRS cost less than $5000. That's laser hair removal, endo appointments, HRT, and therapy. (I'm not counting clothes/makeup because I haven't actually spent more on that than I did on male clothes before - so it's a wash for the budget.) GRS was, predictably, more expensive than that... about $20K more. But obviously that means I achieved 100% success at living comfortably as a woman and moving on with my life for relatively little money; GRS was purely to fix my body for myself.

Good luck!

[Ltl89]

I'm totally broke and have found a way to make it this far.  It's been helpful to have employment of any sort so you at least have something coming in.  I've been on hiatus from work for the past month because of a hiring freeze and will likely have to wait another month before things fully resolve one way or the other.  It sucks.  So far, my insurance has saved me on the basic stuff (blood work, hrt, doctors appointments, etc...).  However, laser is kicking my butt at the moment.   As for SRS and rhinoplasty, they will have to be put on the backburner.  Srs probably won't be possible for me until 2016 and I wouldn't even qualify until 2015.  I have enough time to make up what I need when the time comes. It's just very very stressful and it drives me bananas.  How I wish this were all easier.

You don't need to do anything more than what makes you comfortable and happy.  At the end of the day, that's really all that matters.  So, it can be expensive for some of us, but it can be cheaper for others.  It depends on what you need and your comfort level. 

[Tristan]

if srs is the only thing of importance to you on the surgery list you can budget for just that and have a successful transition still. without laser or something if you grow alot of body hair you might have to shave more but thats ok. and as far as ffs. alot of us dont need it. i know i didnt before i had it. but i wanted it so that i could be more attractive and not need to wear any make up. my vote is yes you can have a happy successful transition and budget for that srs you want

[Megumi]

I get by right now on what I make but it sure would make life easier if we all didn't have to struggle so much just to become the person we have always been. I can save a little bit for the future and really HOPE that I can get overtime at work to help me build everything I need to go full time later this year with a decent wardrobe, jewelry, makeup, and shoe collection. Maybe one day in the future all things under the transgender umbrella will be covered by medical insurance.

[Ltl89]

Just to note, laser or electrolysis is pretty much mandatory if you are looking to radically reduce or remove facial hair.  I mean you can shave and wear makeup, but that only does so much.  If someone wants to transition, it really makes sense to save up to get rid of the facial hair.  Other than that, I agree with what you said.

On the laser front, I just went for another session today.  I broke into tears and almost screamed which worried my tech.  God that stuff hurts!  You would have thought the first time was the worst.  Next time I should use the numbing cream.  In any case, I'm glad I'm doing it because I'm seeing results.  The pain is worth it.  If that's not in your budget plan, please consider it.     

[JRD]

I haven't spent a lot of money on my transition. I did get some laser, but it was a package thing for 8 sessions. I haven't had any surgery and don't spend much on clothes, makeup or jewelry. I may still have to shave my ugly mug everyday, but its doable and I get by. I'd like to get srs, grs or whatever flavor its called nowadays, but it'll be a while unless I sell my house and I'm not too keen on that as it saves me from rent or a mortgage and on what I make, that would be tough indeed.

[KittyKat]

Definitely glad to be getting laser. Haven't noticed much on my face after the one session, but my chest on the other hand I've been noticing hairs coming out every day. Actually think I'm more concerned about the chest cause my genetics thought it'd be great if I could grow my own sweaters.

[Allyda]

Just to note, laser or electrolysis is pretty much mandatory if you are looking to radically reduce or remove facial hair.  I mean you can shave and wear makeup, but that only does so much.  If someone wants to transition, it really makes sense to save up to get rid of the facial hair.  Other than that, I agree with what you said.

On the laser front, I just went for another session today.  I broke into tears and almost screamed which worried my tech.  God that stuff hurts!  You would have thought the first time was the worst.  Next time I should use the numbing cream.  In any case, I'm glad I'm doing it because I'm seeing results.  The pain is worth it.  If that's not in your budget plan, please consider it.   

I do have my own lasers (3 types) and give myself treatments about every two weeks. I never was that 'hary' anyway however the facial hair has got to go -I don't care if it takes me years! I'll be zapping those wretched things until every last one of them is gone.

[lilacwoman]

Here in the north of England I transitioned for perhaps less than $300 and all that was clothes and hormones and $8 name change document.

The I'm transitioning notice I put on the works wall was printed by me and cost zero.

Total cost so far has probably topped $100,000 of which I have contributed about $12,000 and our NHS the rest.

[suzifrommd]

It was pretty cheap to start out with. I needed a wig, which cost less than a few months of haircuts. I also had to spend about $10/week on makeup to cover my beard shadow (which would have been optional if I hadn't cared about passing). I needed to build a feminine wardrobe, but that can be done cheap in second hand stores. I have health insurance which covered my doctor's visits except a few bucks and almost all the cost of my hormones. Hormones are not required for transition, so I could have saved money there if I'd wanted.

[stephaniec]

if srs is the only thing of importance to you on the surgery list you can budget for just that and have a successful transition still. without laser or something if you grow alot of body hair you might have to shave more but thats ok. and as far as ffs. alot of us dont need it. i know i didnt before i had it. but i wanted it so that i could be more attractive and not need to wear any make up. my vote is yes you can have a happy successful transition and budget for that srs you want

definitely happiness seems attainable

[stephaniec]

I must admit everybody's replies made feel better. I was prepared for the doomsday reply but its seems happiness is attainable

[Jane's Sweet Refrain]

The only thing I will add to what has been said so far is that I've been able to keep my costs down by shopping for clothes (shoes excepted) second hand and at discount stores such as TJMaxx. I've found it possible to put together a fashionable wardrobe and am probably just now cresting the thousand dollar mark. And I'm including two pairs of riding boots at $150 each. Thrift store shopping takes time and a tolerance for disappointment. And I still want to cut my colleagues who say, "I got this shirt on sale at Boden. When it hit $60, I just had to buy it." But there is a way to shop on a shoestring without appearing thread-bare (Apologies to all for those really bad puns).

Oh, and my 10 laser sessions bought with a groupon were a total of $650. These sessions started eighteen months ago, so spread out, it's been really reasonable.

[Jamie D]

I must admit everybody's replies made feel better. I was prepared for the doomsday reply but its seems happiness is attainable

I suppose that it is worth asking what transwomen did before laser, before electrolysis, before surgeries, and before hormones?

We have been around forever.  We have adapted and we have coped.

[Allyda]

I do alot of my shopping at second hand stores as well and have done pretty good so far. You are right though Jane second hand shopping builds a tolerance for dissappointment. Especially where I live. Everything is usually too big, lol! I actually get excited when I find something my size.  It's worth it though because you can find some nice things if you take your time.

[Joan]

Another thing you can do is shop for the next season. If you stick with classic basics, stuff that never goes out if fashion, you get them in the sales when they change over the stuff in the shops.

Online especially the sales are pretty awesome. I bought a load of spring and summer stuff in October and November that will be good for April and May.

I know that there's so much more to transitioning than clothes, but you do need stuff to wear too.

I hope that helps