Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I don't think that we've had a thread on how to save for SRS, so I'm starting one.

Share your tips and tricks to save money with the rest of us.

I've got a ton of them so here is my first:

Before you do anything, keep track of every penny you spend.  Write it all down.  Make a graph of where you spend your money.  Get a good feeling for where your money goes and what things cost.  You will never be able to save money if you don't know where it is going.

Cindi

Posted on: July 01, 2007, 02:31:23 PM

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Turkey tip:

At certain times of the year, frozen turkeys can be had for very little money.  I will purchase the largest that I can find and cook it up.  I will spend a whole weekend preparing various meals with the meat.  Turkey and potatoes, turkey and rice, turkey and vegetables, turkey and noodles, sliced turkey for sandwiches... you get the idea.  I'll put it all up in single serving containers and stuff my freezer.

I'll then boil the carcass and make a couple gallons of turkey stock.  I'll then make two or three varieties of soup and sauces.  Yup, they go into containers and then too, into the freezer.

I can live for a couple of months on one turkey.  Total cost will run around 35 to 45 dollars for all the fixins.

Cindi

Give up meat, and learn to prepare and enjoy inexpensive delicious and wholesome food.  Whole grains (including breads and pastas) and vegetables and fruits and tofu are inexpensive and good for you and you can eat very cheaply (and be much more healthy....if you doubt this, read The China Study)this way.  If you are worried about getting enough protein eat tuna or salmon once or twice a week.

Get books, movies and music from the public library instead of buying or renting them.

Make your own coffee instead of buying that expensive stuff from that place on every corner.

Make your own lunch for work several days a week instead of always eating out.

Don't buy anything new if you can find it used in good condition.  Shop at thrift stores, yard sales, and on craigslist.  If you take the time to shop carefully you'll be surprised what you can find for practically nothing.

Learn to enjoy small and simple pleasures that cost little or nothing. 

Instead of a gym membership, jog or walk or ride a bike.

If you have access to public transportation, park your car, or get rid of it altogether, and save a ton of money.  Or even better, walk or bike to work.

Invite friends over for an inexpensive dinner and a video or music and conversation instead of going out to restaurants and clubs or movie theaters.

Don't deprive yourself of small things that make you feel good, because then budgeting becomes like dieting and you'll fall off the wagon easily.  For example, I love good coffee with real half and half, so I get what I like, feel happy while I'm drinking it, and economize elsewhere on something that doesn't matter to me that much.

Hang out with people who are supportive of what you are doing and won't tempt or coerce or pressure you into spending money you need and want to save.

Buy locally, be a regular at the farmer's market.

Check newspapers for free or inexpensive concerts, art openings, and other entertainments.

If you have too much free time on your hands or are bored and frustrated by not having enough money, volunteer somewhere.  It will keep you busy, doesn't cost anything, and you'll gather some good karma while you're saving up.

Host a pot luck with your friends.  They always leave stuff you can eat later on!

Now you know how cheap Cindi has learned to live ;)

Cindi

Three words: beans and rice.

Eat at home.

Skip the movie theatre.

Get a roommate and share ALL costs.

Never, ever pay retail. If you absolutely must shop, buy only if something is on sale!

Shop at thrift stores and damaged merchadise outlets, or consignment shops. I furnished my entire apartment with beautiful second-hand furniture and floor coverings using only consignment shops, and it cost me less than 300 USD total.

Skip your vacation and take a cash payout if allowed.

If you must have a vehicle, get an old beater. It will save tons of money on insurance because you can carry simple liability instead of collision and comprehensive. I have averaged less than $500 a year per vehicle including purchase and maintenance my entire life. If one dies, I buy another one. It's still cheaper than making payments and carrying full coverage.

I saved 7 grand in one year doing all of that, and I don't even make thirty grand a year. Not even close.

No matter what your goal is, if it involves $$$, always make a chart showing $$$ saved each week.

It works for charities raising $$$, and it will work for you too.

I owed 2 grand in back taxes and paid it off in less than three months on my low wage.

Yeah I'm a cheap bastard, but I am a cheap bastard that doesn't owe $$$.

Once you have a handle on what you spend, keep track of the money that you are saving with your new found thrift.

Make sure to actually take that money and stick it into an account you don't touch.  This is very important.  Remember, you don't save money unless you really SAVE it.

Cindi

Quote from: Thundra on July 02, 2007, 07:30:17 PM
Yeah I'm a cheap bastard, but I am a cheap bastard that doesn't owe $$$.

I vote that this quote from Thundra be added to the wiki....lovely!

tink :icon_chick:

Quote from: Tink on July 02, 2007, 09:50:58 PM

Quote from: Thundra on July 02, 2007, 07:30:17 PM
Yeah I'm a cheap bastard, but I am a cheap bastard that doesn't owe $$$.

I vote that this quote from Thundra be added to the wiki....lovely!

tink :icon_chick:

Do we have a seconder.

Steph

Stop smoking.

Stop drinking beer or booze.

Robyn

Quote

QuoteQuote from: Tink on Yesterday at 09:50:58 PM

QuoteQuote from: Thundra on Yesterday at 07:30:17 PM
Yeah I'm a cheap bastard, but I am a cheap bastard that doesn't owe $$$.

I vote that this quote from Thundra be added to the wiki....lovely!

tink

Do we have a seconder.

Steph

LOL!!! Of all of the things to be immortalized for? That is so appropriate for me.  LOL!!!

Steph is showing off the 'too's. Looking good!

QuoteStop smoking.

Stop drinking beer or booze.

This is always  good idea regardless of saving money. Unless you want to look old like me and die young to boot. It takes years off of your life. I know.

Quote from: Thundra on July 02, 2007, 07:30:17 PM
beans and rice.

keep the gas-x pills next to your bed too  >:D



Posted on: July 03, 2007, 01:14:13 AM

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i like thundra's quote too.  she will be "older than dirt" when her words are immortalized. ha ha ha ha ha

These are all really good tips... I'd like to reiterate the "stay at home" one.  In the US we spend WAY too much on eating out.  By cutting down to one or two meals outside the home a week you can save a lot of money.

Also, buy bulk.  Bulk toilet paper, bulk soap, bulk everything.  Buy a big freezer and stuff it full of food.  Don't go back to the store until everything is gone from the freezer.

Saving is all good and all, but the most important thing I think is PAYING YOUR BILLS ON TIME, so you keep a good credit rating. And if its possible, buy things at credit and pay them on time to build some credit. If you have a proper budget, there's no reason why you shouldn't pay your bills.

Using credit is much better than savings, because your leveraging your current financial situation to pay in the future. Governments don't pay cash for roads, people don't pay cash for cars or houses, why should anyone pay cash for SRS. It makes no sense to me unless you've got a very low income (less than 20K for example) and are living too much on the edge to make a loan or margin or credit work.

If your not able to be a bit stable, or cannot manage your finances, don't get loans.

Paying everything cash it not a good way to go it most cases. Building wealth is based on the notion of using current assets as leverage to acquire new assets.

I cheeted!
I sold two of my best thoroughbreds. They meant a lot to me but I had to go forward with my plans.

Deb

I add one part water to two parts of my shampoo when I bring it home from the store.  That way I use a lot less and I can't even tell the difference.

Cindi

Are we going for ::ewwww:: factor?

I use the same piece of dental tape two to three times before discarding it.

I blow my nose into each sheet of tissue at least twice before discarding it.

I water down my mouthwash the same way as Cindi does shampoo to extend the life of the bottle.

I use the same tea bag at least twice before discarding it.

I used to reuse condoms after I washed and dried them. Difference is that I don't have sex with guys. These were only for my own personal use on toyz.

I regift stuff whenever possible. I also reuse wrapping paper and cards. All you need is a new envelope for a clean card. Most people just discard them anyway. You've already signed it.

I live in town and walk everywere, even when it rains (it rains a lot).
I only drive my car for work when possible, because then I can get reimbursed for the mileage.
So I will make a grocery store stop on the way home or run errands whenever possible.

I have used company vehicles to move myself countless times over the years, or to pick up stuff like furniture. That has saved me tons of $$$. It's high risk, but worth it.

When I go the laundramat, I always use the large capacity front loaders. I only use the dryers in the winter. In Colorado, everything dries in about ten minutes year round. That saved tons of money. In Oregon, the summers are dry, so that works about 5 months a year.

I get three oil changes a year instead of four, always with a coupon. With an old vehicle, what is the difference?

I bring home free stuff (discarded) from work and trade it for a foodstuff or for the service of a friend. Costs me nothing.

I'm a cheap bastard.

A digital clock will eat up 20 watts of power.  That's 170880 watts a year. 

That's just a little low power clock.  Night lights, regular lights, computers, printers, routers, LED's of all types, tivo recorders, and all this little stuff adds up to a huge number of wasted kilowatt/hours of electricity.  Turns stuff off if you aren't using it!

I get raped for my electric bill.  I pay 30 cents a KW/Hr over baseline useage!  Yuck!  So I really watch it.

Cindi

All good tips to save. I also water down the mouth wash shampoo especially when it gets down to the last few drop's. Tha's an interesting concept to use your credit card to pay for the srs. Tha way you can pay monthly installments.

I keep a record of everything I buy for the week and total it at the end of the month.

Linda Ann

Love being female :angel:

Quote from: Keira on July 03, 2007, 12:10:19 PM
Saving is all good and all, but the most important thing I think is PAYING YOUR BILLS ON TIME, so you keep a good credit rating. If you have a proper budget, there's no reason why you shouldn't pay your bills.

I agree and add clear your bills before trying to pay for your transistion, either ffs and/or srs. All the savings tips are good, but it's likely you'll be writing a $10-20,000 check for your srs, and all the scrimping in the world won't get you there when you're ready, so having good credit and ability to pay it off afterward will help you more. If you can, see if you can get a personal line of credit (PLC), which means you have an instant access for a small, significant cache of money, and you can the budget the payback.

The sad reality today is that credit is something you have to exercise, and if you don't exercise it, you'll like lose it. And using it will keep the banks raising the limit where you can have access to get your srs when you want than trying to scrimp for it. It's a backward logic but works and many transwomen pay for their srs from credit sources such as a PLC, home equity, loans, etc. than scrimping.

The other option is using your employer and bank to create an automatic deposit in a saving account which you plan to use for your transistion. And make the deposit significant to realize your plan in the timeframe you want than end up waiting 5-10 years.  That's hard to do when you're young, but it accomplishes the same as scrimping because you have to live within the rest of your money.

Treat the costs for your ffs and/or srs as buying other big things in life, and then budget for it and fit into your life accordingly.

My $.02 and worth about as much most days. And definitely won't get you a latte at Starbucks.

--Susan--

Quote from: Cindi Jones on July 04, 2007, 01:56:08 AM
A digital clock will eat up 20 watts of power.  That's 170880 watts a year. 

That's just a little low power clock.  Night lights, regular lights, computers, printers, routers, LED's of all types, tivo recorders, and all this little stuff adds up to a huge number of wasted kilowatt/hours of electricity.  Turns stuff off if you aren't using it!

I get raped for my electric bill.  I pay 30 cents a KW/Hr over baseline useage!  Yuck!  So I really watch it.

Cindi

That works out to about 175 kilowatt hours a year. The average cost of a kilowatt hour in the US is $.12, which works out to about $21 a year. On the other hand that extra refrigerator you have in the garage is using 2100 kilowatt hours a year, or about $252 a year.

But if you really want to save money, get rid of that electric water heater and get a gas one if you can. Electric water heaters are incredibly inefficient. That electric oven may be using as much as 2880 watts or 2.88 kilowatt hours for every hour you have it on. That is just one oven. If you use double ovens, double that.

The real killer is A/C. A three and a half ton A/C unit will use 6500 watts. That is 6.5 kilowatt hours for every hour you have it on, or $.78 an hour. That is $18.75 a day running continuously. This is a place where one can really save. Get a dehumidifier, this will allow your A/C to run less, if you live in a humid place. Turn up the temp and use fans, you will feel just as cool but save big bucks.

Also, long showers not only use more water which will increase both your water and sewer bill, but also the cost of heating more water increases your gas or electric bill. Take a long bath instead.

Love always,
Elizabeth

I think if people want to save money, they ought to move to the city. I can think of lots of reasons why:

Public transportation is cheaper.
Don't need a car or insurance, or you can buy a car share in some cities.
You can bike or walk almost everywhere.
People are always looking to share room and utility costs as well as other things like internet access, and that can save a bunch of money.
Lots of little food carts to eat on the cheap if you don't pack a lunch.
Wages are generally higher in the city, resulting in more $$$ TO save.
Easy to find a "second" job in the city ~ moonlighting is easier and more accepted.
More people means more work and greater job turnover resulting in more opportunities to advance = more $$$ TO save.
Lots of things to do that are absolutely free.

Asian food markets.

I can buy local products for a fraction of the price that I pay in the big box stores. Noodles? 5 pounds for a couple of bucks. Rice? Load it up for only a few $$$ and it lasts for most of the year. Fresh bread, fresh fish, etc, etc.

Internet access, see if the library has free wifi. if not then a lot of shops might. get together three or four friends, split a pizza and some water while surfing the 'Net together. Not absolutely free but you can have a blast doing this and save a few $$$.

Programmable thermostat.

CFL bulbs. I have cut my energy bill by 33% and have yet to finish replacing all of the traditional bulbs in the house.

Hand me downs. One of those I was in service with gave me some of her old clothing she no longer needed or wanted.

I also let friends and family know that I am in financial stress. I am taken out to lunch and get occasional gifts of small amounts to out on. At first I felt really bad but then I do treat them to a lunch or whatever when I can afford to do so.

Barter for things that you need. Someone might be able to help fix up something in the house in exchange for you helping them out. Find out what your friends and your friends' friends can do and get started.

Build up equity in a home. Find a nice place in what will be an up and coming area and put what you can into the payments. I was paying over $615/month for an apartment. After my tax return I pay only slightly more for the house and I am building up equity that I may eventually borrow against in order to get what I want.

Well so far I've quit smoking ciggarrettes (as of yesterday), doing it cold turkey, seems to be the best way for me. I am also starting to bring my own lunch to work and eat healthier, I used to eat waaay too much junk. I just see at as the little things add up, so thats where I am starting out. My biggest task is going to be stop smoking pot, Its my favorite leisure activity and favorite way to relax at night after work. But if I REALLY have to, I guess I am going to have to ditch it at least for the time being.

I am currently in the early stages of figuring out what I want to do, how, and when.....and as of next week I'm probably going to start therapy. Lets hope at least, I dont know of any Special therapists around here but I'm going to ask my sister/dad some information on a therapist they've seen for a while regarding depression, ect. So I am going to see she if she is a suitable therapist for my situation. So I realize, I am going to have to start paying for that and eventually HRT. So I am really cutting down my expenses.

QuoteAsian food markets.

I can buy local products for a fraction of the price that I pay in the big box stores. Noodles? 5 pounds for a couple of bucks. Rice? Load it up for only a few $$$ and it lasts for most of the year. Fresh bread, fresh fish, etc, etc.

That is a great suggestion! Asian Markets have extremely fresh food in most cases, because asian people shop almost daily and demand freshness in their meals. Plus fresh food fills you up more, has more nutrition than processed foods, and enables you to have more energy and eat less.

QuoteInternet access, see if the library has free wifi. if not then a lot of shops might. get together three or four friends, split a pizza and some water while surfing the 'Net together. Not absolutely free but you can have a blast doing this and save a few $$$.

Some cities like PDX have free W-Fi now, anywhere in the city, not just cafe's. It is an investment in the equipment to access it, but then you have free net capability. If I did not have my cable/phone/internet bundled together and on a deal, I would not have cable, I'd have Wi-Fi.

QuoteProgrammable thermostat.

Another great suggestion. Even if you live in an old apt. like mine, you can always turn the thing down or off when you are not home. My cat prefers it. I leave a heating pad on low for her just in case she gets chilled on the coldest days.

QuoteCFL bulbs. I have cut my energy bill by 33% and have yet to finish replacing all of the traditional bulbs in the house.

Same here. I replaced all of my lightbulbs with the low energy type that I got on sale BOGO free. And my electric bill is always starkly low even if I accidently leave a light on occasionally.

QuoteBarter for things that you need. Someone might be able to help fix up something in the house in exchange for you helping them out. Find out what your friends and your friends' friends can do and get started.

People don't use bartering enough!  I agree. You'd be surprised how many people will work to get stuff from you that you don't want or that you can get for free.

QuoteBuild up equity in a home. Find a nice place in what will be an up and coming area and put what you can into the payments. I was paying over $615/month for an apartment. After my tax return I pay only slightly more for the house and I am building up equity that I may eventually borrow against in order to get what I want.

I pay $525 for a one bedroom deal that I finagled a lease for a year ago. Now the lease is up, and I am renegotiating the rent. EVERYTHING is negotiable. If you are dependable and trustworthy, lots of businesses and services will cut a deal with you because they know they will never have a bounced check from you, or have to worry about chasing after you to pay off a bill. But you have to be willing to do the negotiation and stand up for yourself.

Great list of idears L.I.T.!!

Thank Ya. :)

It is experience from having singing the Kinks song, Low Budget for quite some time now. :)

"Cheap is small and not too steep
But best of all cheap is cheap
Circumstance has forced my hand
To be a cut price person in a low budget land
Times are hard but well all survive
I just got to learn to economize

Im on a low budget
Im on a low budget
Im not cheap, you understand
Im just a cut price person in a low budget land"

Some more ideas are:
If you have a lot of time on your hands, you could either get a second job, or if you want to do something more laid back, you could do some volunteer work.  You can usually find volunteer work doing something you enjoy doing anyhow.

I'm not sure if this would work for everyone, but I made a lot of money doing this:

I went through EVERYTHING I owned, and found things that would sell well on eBay.  You'd be amazed at what some people will buy on eBay.  My dad always told me to keep everything; toys, boxes, anything really.  I made 1/4 of the cost of SRS in Thailand selling my old toys.  Sailor Moon and Power Rangers were my gold mines  :D

Kat, this is a good idea.  I've got a few days here where I want to go through the house and get rid of stuff.  I may as well see if I can sell some of it instead of just giving it away.

Cindi