Buying things on a budget

[SilverWing]

Right now, I'm trying to kick start my transition. I have about $40. What sort of things should I buy on this kind of budget? Like, what are the essentials?

Right now, the only item on my list is a women's razor, and some shaving cream. What else should I get?

[RobynD]

Nail files are relatively cheap as are clear and colored polishes. Curling your eyelashes can make your eyes more feminine. Underwear is often cited as one of those things that first helped girls feel the feminine vibe.

[Tommi]

I use a man's razor on my legs, a 4 blade one, seems to get closer than a ladies razor.

For the longest time I made do with shaving and panties.  I've recently branched out into painting my toenails, and some more feminine jewelry.

[Cindy Stephens]

What a great question!  I really had to think about it.  It has been a while since $40 bucks was a balance figure in my budget.  Not bragging, just have a good job.  If you haven't quite figured it out, it is expensive to be a girl.  A well dressed one anyway.  I think most of us are a little bit different in how we started, hence what we invested in.  You could afford a really pretty new nightgown.  They can still be purchased in a very feminine style to maximize the idea of transition.  Day wear is a lot more expensive.  Though they can be purchased at thrift shops for reasonable amounts.  New panties and a bra can set you back 30$, especially if you are buying online and have to pay shipping.  In your price bracket, I would spend as much time as possible going over the sizing charts on this site.  Most large stores (Macys-Kohls) have drop down sizing charts when you go to a specific area.  You'll figure it out. You don't want to absorb the cost of too many errors.  It also prevents the embarrassment of having to run out of the store when you try to buy something for "your sister" and the clerk asks you what size she is.  Trust me, many people on this site have had that experience.  Lots of luck.

[barbie]

You may consider ordering at this site:

http://www.aliexpress.com

barbie~~

[Cindy Stephens]

This is a Chinese company (Alibaba Alieexpress) with pretty horrible reviews.  I tend to be cynical but, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."  YMMV

[TG CLare]

Dear Silver Wing;

$40.00 won't go far if you are buying retail but you can still get a few good bargains from places like dollar stores and thrift stores. Makeup and nail polish from the dollar stores isn't the greatest but it's a step. I like clear polish myself as it can sometimes be left on after you change clothes.

Clothes can be found at thrift stores like Goodwill. Find out your sizes from the size conversion charts found online then write them down on a piece of paper. Be aware a size 10 for example may not fit as well as a size 10 from another manufacturer so it's almost imperative you try them on if you can. Generally you won't need a key at thrift shops to use the change rooms but if you do, just have some "man clothes" on top of your lady clothes. You can also find bras at thrift stores. Don't go nuts, all you'll need is one bra for now. A nude flesh coloured one will go under most clothes and not show like a black one under light top.

It's a great help if you have a cis lady friend to go with you. You can look and everyone will think it's for her!

Places like Victoria's Secret have sales on panties from time to time but they generally are fairly expensive. Panties from Walmart or dollar stores will do nicely.

Razors are razors. I haven't noticed any difference in razor quality from a man's razor to a lady's razor except price. Same thing with deodorants. It seems a Lady Speed Stick has the same ingredients as a man's speed stick! They both come in scented and unscented and stop perspiration.

Panty hose from dollar stores is ok. For a tip, put some thin rubber gloves on your hands to stop your nails from snagging the material causing a run before you put on the p/hose! A tip a lady friend passed onto me.

Wigs can vary in prices. The more expensive, the better the quality and look but a cheaper one will still look good.

Good luck with your wardrobe hunting!

Love,
Clare

[RobynD]

This is a Chinese company (Alibaba Alieexpress) with pretty horrible reviews.  I tend to be cynical but, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."  YMMV

Its an aggregation site like Ebay, so there are many, many suppliers represented. you are right some are bad or deliver shoddy stuff, but many are not and you get amazing value for the money. Out of about 8 orders i have done there, 2-3 i would rate as not meeting expectations. High percentage for sure.

[Laura_7]

You might look up a video by Princessjoules called transgender guide.
It might give you some ideas.

You might look at stores for used clothing.
And there might be markets in your vicinity, weekly or monthly ones, where people get together and exchange used products.
Just have a look at the seller.
Usually those markets are announced in local papers.

In stores you simply might look at a sheet of paper often, indicating its something you were asked to bring along.

[gretchenTG]

I have bought a lot nice things at Goodwill and the ARC thrift stores. If you go on the weekends most of the items are %50 off already low prices. I picked up almost new jeans for $4.00 a pair. You can even try everything on there too. They are even caring some make up and nail polish as well. Good luck shopping.

[Sophieraven]

I started with Bra's, panties and nightwear, all on a budget, Ebay is your friend for this. I moved up to going to Tesco(in the UK). No one seem to take any notice when i just rock up and select what i want confidently. Make up comes from poundland who are just about everywhere over here so no special trips. Once you get over the initial fear and nerves about going it's easy and no one notices.
Sophie

[aprilinkc]

Dollar Tree and stores like that are awesome. Everything is $1 and you can really stretch your money and get nail polish, makeup, brushes, nail file, women's deodorant, more feminine shampoo and body wash, socks and hosiery, general personal care products. It's really a great way to go.

And it's not great quality makeup, but it's not bad either. I've seen some ELF there. Also- walmart carries ELF brushes for a couple of bucks a piece for one to a few brushes in a package. And they are surprisingly high quality.

PLEASE don't get your makeup at a thrift store. Please. It's a great way to get pink eye and all sorts of other fun stuff.

My biggest advice- learning costs nothing. Download beauty apps, download voice training apps, check out videos on youtube. Read the girl's mags online- most of the important stuff is free on the site. While you are working on building up your money you can work on learning, and that will help you stretch your money further and make less mistakes.

[Laura_7]

PLEASE don't get your makeup at a thrift store. Please. It's a great way to get pink eye and all sorts of other fun stuff.

You might stick to a few but quality items, maybe even organic (lipstick for example... part of it might be digested).

Same for clothing... with used clothing its very well posible to touch the fabrics and judge the quality.. so some really good quality items can be aquired...


hugs

[Cindy Stephens]

On the US program "the list" one of the corespondents goes to a dollar store on occasion to pick up theme supplies like 4th of July, pool party etc.  She went to that dollar store with a professional make-up artist and model and had him do the models make-up strictly with products from the store.  Both were very surprised with the quality of the items.  Most of the cost in make-up is actually in high end packaging and in advertising.  As expressed above, always use new, don't share, and get a list from internet on how long to keep before trashing. 

[cheryl reeves]

I got a cute top today for 7 dollars at Wal-Mart along with 6 pairs of brief panties for 6 dollars and two lacy geni bras for 20 dollars total I spent was 35 dollars today.

[barbie]

The current status of my AliExpress.com today. So far, just one item has been delivered.




barbie~~

[Jak of hearts]

I started with a 10 pack of panties for $8, razors for $4, and am getting some thrift store clothes soon.  Luckily my wife had earrings I can wear (ears were still pierced from my younger days) and makeup,but if you don't have those, like someone mentioned above the dollar store is a great place to stretch some money. To start with I'd look for more stuff for cheaper and work on quality items one at a time as you get more money.

[RobynD]

Another option to consider is your friendly local H&M store. You can buy decent skinny jeans for sometimes $9.95 to $14.95