Susan's Place Transgender Resources

has anyone noticed how expensive it is to be a woman? i honestly pay more money for things than i did in my "previous life" ( i will not say male) it just feels like now that i'm living the life i always wanted, that i love spoiling myself with things, getting my hair done, shopping for clothes, etc. unlike before i spend over 700 dollars a month just to get my hair done, hair extensions, hair straightening, etc, ( otherwise i just look like some f**ked up dancing queen) what is the most expensive thing you pay for to a monthly basis?

My cell phone bill is the most expensive thing I pay every month, of course, its got a second line for use by my late father's girlfriend who is like a mom to me( and happens to be my immediate boss) and she will always have use of it as far as I'm concerned.

Really, I don't spend much on clothes, makeup, jewelry and such. I have someone(the lady that is mentioned above) trim my hair and color it periodically and I spend less then $100 a month average on clothes, makeup, haircare, etc. So maybe I'm cheap, but I get along fine with it. I buy good quality clothes on sale and wear them forever, lol.

you're lucky i wish i only spent that much lol.. why do you have the name big head horsey face though?

Honestly, I just don't understand that whole thing about how you "MUST" spend all of this money on clothes, make up, etc.

Screw that.

Spending money on electro, therapy, HRT meds, surgical procedures?

Yeah, that makes more sense.

I just stick to plain women's jeans, plain women's tops and women's sneakers.

I don't need all of the stupid girly crap. I don't need to waste money on it. Dressing casual is MUCH cheaper. Besides, I already tried all of that girly crap a long time ago. *yawns* I'll pass.......

I'm realizing it is expensive but at the same time I no longer have 5,000 hobbies to keep my mind occupied so the money really just shifted around instead of spending more :p

Quote from: latoya fox on January 15, 2014, 05:44:46 PM
you're lucky i wish i only spent that much lol.. why do you have the name big head horsey face though?

its not obvious?  I find it quite fitting...

got any hay?

Mortgage. ;)

I dunno, once I got the initial fashion-binging out of my system, I spend like $30 every other month on clothes or makeup... probably another $30/month on hair care stuff (conditioner, detangler and curl gel, b/c I have *seriously* curly hair). I'm not sure I'm actually spending more than I did before, although I love my clothes and jewelry a lot more now!

So true latoya!

Ever notice that female clothes vs. male clothes can vary dramatically even in the same shop- it is not the fabric costs.  I think we pay a premium (on top of lower wages- yay).

For me, well I am bracing myself for the sudden influx of choice.   In boy mode- don't like clothing choices- strictly grab the basics (a cis lesbian friend says I dress like a "butch dyke") But give me girl clothes... oh my... I could shop all day.

That in itself is going to push up my budget- even though I am like horsey face (you need a more positive handle) and love an item of clothing to death.  Accessories are going to be the death of me.

Oh.. and we need multiple bags and shoes... you cannot just pull off the 'I am a guy, these are my good shoes and these are my everyday shoes'.  Grumble.  I am personally gonna work my style so doc martins rule my feet.  I will solve my red carpet shoes for the oscars later ;)

Has anyone done the maths on their budget changes?  A ballpark like 'clothes x8' would be good.

Ongoing costs are stacking up in my pre-op path.
If anyone is interested in my hard cost number let me know, I do get some breaks through decent insurance.

no need to be so grumpy laura, and i am not a white woman honey i'm only half, so i can't just pull off going around with frizzy hair, looking raggedy. we have different hair types, and i've already had a bunch of lazor, and no big, because you don't look horsey.

Quote from: latoya fox on January 15, 2014, 06:06:01 PM
and no big, because you don't look horsey.

Well now, that's a huge blow to my self esteem.  Thanks!



:P

lol

I'd say its completely dependent upon your lifestyle. Budgets are magic!! thrift store shopping and ebay are life savers.

Quote from: latoya fox on January 15, 2014, 06:06:01 PM
no need to be so grumpy laura, and i am not a white woman honey i'm only half, so i can't just pull off going around with frizzy hair, looking raggedy.

I didn't mean to come off as a grump. I'm most certainly a frump, though. I simply don't care about getting dolled up. All the women I've known growing up were pretty much the same way. Unless they were working in an office or getting dolled up on Saturday nights, they dressed casual.

nice sweater and skinny jeans

Quote from: latoya fox on January 15, 2014, 06:06:01 PM
i can't just pull off going around with frizzy hair, looking raggedy. we have different hair types

YEP! I go through hair products like crazy(specifically conditioner), having mixed hair takes a lot of special care. Frizz for me equals afro/big 80s hair.

You know something. I am a woman and to be honest I think I spend less than I did before. How do I say that. Well for one I am not a high maintenance gal. I do my own nails. I get my hair cut perhaps three times a year (instead of every month). I don't buy a ton of clothes. Lastly the one thing I can say I don't do is buy big toys.

In my past life I brought all sorts of toys and ->-bleeped-<-. These days that stuff is not meaningful to me and I don't find that desire to spend 40,000 dollars on a car or whatever.......


So there you have it.

Katie

Rent
Hair extensions (bi-monthly)
Therapy
Facials and skin care products I'm clued in on
Food
Gas
Clothes
Shoes

Used to just be video games. And travel. I miss travel. Will have to get that back on the list.

Quote from: Emmaline on January 15, 2014, 05:54:06 PM
For me, well I am bracing myself for the sudden influx of choice.   In boy mode- don't like clothing choices- strictly grab the basics (a cis lesbian friend says I dress like a "butch dyke") But give me girl clothes... oh my... I could shop all day.

I'm finding this to be the case as well. In boy mode I have one style - I dress like a homeless person. I once had a friend give me a piece of cardboard on which he had painted "I am a vet, spare some change?" I dunno. I couldn't buy what I wanted, so I didn't care about what I got.

But, now that I can get what I want... Good god. The joys of shopping are hard to walk away from. I also figure that, being that I still haven't figured out a personal sense of style, I'm going through a trial and error experimentation stage. It's like being a teenager all over again.  :) But, as I move along in this process I'll settle into a style that is "me", and be more content about it.

Quote from: Lady_Oracle on January 15, 2014, 07:09:46 PM
thrift store shopping and ebay are life savers.

I tend to find ebay a waste of time these days. ebay had its glory days back around the turn of the mellinia, and was awesome. Now... Well, Target and Bestbuy have ebay accounts. So, I feel like I may as well just go to Target or Bestbuy and cut out the middleman...

Thrift stores, however, are a godsend. There are three where I live, and all have the most amazing finds in them for seriously cheap prices. I once scored a Neiman Marcus camel hair trench coat for $1. Some crazy woman probably paid close to $1,500 for it new.

I'd say I spend more as male than female. I was rather plain as a girl though. But now, I need to get my short hair cut every month or I look like a dandelion, I pay for razors to shave my face (costs the same as monthly pads), and...well, maybe that's it. Before my only costs were pads really. Clothes stayed about the same.

Quote from: Katie on January 15, 2014, 07:39:44 PM
In my past life I brought all sorts of toys and ->-bleeped-<-. These days that stuff is not meaningful to me and I don't find that desire to spend 40,000 dollars on a car or whatever.......

Oh my, you're so right!

The amount I spent on toys, thrills and doing silly things in the last 10 years of my former life... Could easily have paid for SRS a number of times over.

 latoya im right there with ya i like nice things and will fork out the case for it. Also I shop at a specialty store long tall sally cause i'm tall and their clothing is more money LOL

just because i like to get my hair and nails done, doesn't mean i'm high maintanance thanks, and yes lady oracle, but i don't have fro lol. i just have so much volume that i have to get it flattend

Expensive perhaps, worth it? Absolutely!! :)

Latoya, is your avatar you? Gorgeous!

I spend about $50 on makeup but then I spend $40 on HRT. I have my wardrobe and I live in Philly so I hit soup kitchens (I'm poor and live with my BF and we are scraping by) and I'm piecing the est of my wardrobe there. I got like three quality pairs of skinnies and a pair ofripped  jean capris (BDG, Express and Sample). I got tops covered, got a bunch of 34D and 36C bras. Both fit. The former better and is my fave.

Seriously, I got this free empire waisted, plunging neckline black print romper. OMG it's the best fine ever. But if I had more money I'd be saving for one thing: GCS. Maybe a score a job with city gov't and get it fo free. The most low maintenance cut is a pixie which I rock like Michelle Williams and it looks totally femme. But yeah its way more expensive then that other life but so worth every penny. Gawd, I love clothes. Seriously my whole life I have reamed of shopping malls and now it's real!!!!

Jez, now I want a new bag. All I have is this duffel. I also only wear a pair of keds and two pairs of ballet flats. But its working. Cant wait for summer!!!!

It depends on how girly you are.

If your plain than I guess it would be cheaper being a woman, But if your more glam it does cost.

It's a necessary evil. I don't mind it though whatever it takes to achieve the look I'm going for. The longer you're in the game the more you find ways to get around certain things.   

High 5 Latoya I know EXACTLY what you mean...lol

I spend nothing because I'm still forced to live as a male :/ and the makeup I have was given to me

Quote from: Laura Squirrel on January 15, 2014, 05:46:45 PM
Honestly, I just don't understand that whole thing about how you "MUST" spend all of this money on clothes, make up, etc.

Screw that.

Spending money on electro, therapy, HRT meds, surgical procedures?

Yeah, that makes more sense.

I just stick to plain women's jeans, plain women's tops and women's sneakers.

I don't need all of the stupid girly crap. I don't need to waste money on it. Dressing casual is MUCH cheaper. Besides, I already tried all of that girly crap a long time ago. *yawns* I'll pass.......

>sniff< I like my girly crap...

I'm old so I like to dish on good cosmetics and skin care products. Don't have everyone here's natural beauty so I need every advantage I can get ;)

RANT
I will never pay retail for anything ever!
I don't play the fashion game and never cared what anyone thought of me because they are simply not qualified to do so!
I am past all of that submitting myself to the approval of strangers!
My friends are chosen from among those who do not judge me on my appearances, but for my bright and shining spirit!
As far as I am concerned, it is society at large that needs the makeover!
I am free of needless spending altogether!
END RANT

Wait....ok, I'll pay up for decent leather shoes and boots, and half-decent quality make-up...ok ok, panties & bras, those are important too, and well, you know, clothes, you have to have current stuff. Alright, a few..make that at least a dozen decent handbags and did I mention having a decent shoe rotation? It's important. Perfumes, lotions, you know..my pharmacy makes more money off me than my local friendly supermarket. OK ..so after all the 'essentials'...Expensive? nahh. :P

I buy classy fabrics at local Pakistani shop and make my own skirts at about $5 each so I always have new ones. 
As everything I have is pink/red/purple or black and white I can mix and match endlessly.
I have zero interest in any sort of trousers no matter what cut, fabric or colour everyone else is wearing.
I do have some trainers/sneakers? for when I go exploring along streams or backstreets.

You're funny Trisha...that twas good and made me smile.

thank you michelle.

lol joanna, you sound like me :)

Yep, it's true - it costs more to be a girl. As a dude I could get by with a couple pairs of jeans, a few worn t-shirts & sweatshirts, a few button down shirts & some dockers for work, a pair of sneakers, and a couple of pairs of brown & black dress shoes.

As an "older" gal I need a wig (the prices i've seen on a human hair wigs are $700 and up - eeek!!!), makeup (the eyeshadow I recently bought at Sephora was $60), clothes, shoes (my weakness LOL....), my transitiong meds and my therapist & endo visits (mostly paid out of pocket since my insurance only covers E and spiro), legal costs for my name change, and so on - and I haven't even considered cosmetic surgery and GRS costs yet - it all adds up.

There are things that you can do of course to trim these costs like catch sales and shop at thrift stores, and you must decide what things are a necessity and what things are a luxury that can be put off until later. We all have to manage our funds and we all make decisions about the way that we live and what we "need" based on our funds.

Are the costs worth it to live an authentic life? Absolutely.

Quote from: latoya fox on January 16, 2014, 08:42:45 AM
lol joanna, you sound like me :)

Hehe great minds think alike! IDK, shopping really is a big part of being a girl. I know of no girl that doesn't always look nice. And shops. And loves shopping. I can't think of one. Well maybe my bestie from college but shes femme and is also so pretty she could be on Vogue so she can put on a trash bag and look like a bombshell.

You dont even have to spend tons of money but I totally understand about your hair. I'm white but am friends with women of color and their haircuts are so expensive but ya gotta look good. My mom spends $150 a month on her hair alone and she is 68 and not running for beauty queen.

I was so totlly thinking of making a topic like this the other day when I was longing for money and needed this shimmering bronzer they have at rite aid. They have a tester and every time i go in and im all up on it and every other tster lol

I actually hate shopping.  I'm indecisive and there are too many choices for girls. I have times I want to be girly and I agonize over my choices. But yeah,  "girly" stuff does cost more!
Of course that's all aside from working on physical body change.
It can be expensive to present in a way that we project our expectations of social response.
Coming from a cis woman that generally behaves tomboy.

Never meant you were high maintenance just meant that sometimes having nice things can cost a lot is all.

Quote from: Lana P on January 15, 2014, 09:25:18 PM
latoya im right there with ya i like nice things and will fork out the case for it. Also I shop at a specialty store long tall sally cause i'm tall and their clothing is more money LOL

checked out your blog , it's nice

Quote from: Katie on January 15, 2014, 07:39:44 PM
You know something. I am a woman and to be honest I think I spend less than I did before. How do I say that. Well for one I am not a high maintenance gal. I do my own nails. I get my hair cut perhaps three times a year (instead of every month).

Yep, hair is actually way more high maintenance as a man for me. Before if it got too long, I'd pull it back. Now I look positively awful if it's not kept up.

I just spent $180 on a small work out wardrobe and my wife is so mad at me for not asking her.. I feel terrible but they're so nice >:-)

You know if someone told me they spend $700 a month on their hair I would probably bust out laughing. I would then think they are insane or stretching the truth...............

Being a woman CAN be expensive, but I'd hate to think that a haircut, makeup and wardrobe is what defines me as such.

Suicide is cheap, whether the more direct route or (in my case) the installment plan.

Peace of mind is priceless.  This is what I'm really after.  The femme trappings are just gravy to me.

Quote from: Katie on January 16, 2014, 08:28:10 PM
You know if someone told me they spend $700 a month on their hair I would probably bust out laughing. I would then think they are insane or psyco.

Hhhhm I would think that they are just rich,,,good for them,,,
I dont spend 700$ on my hair cause I dont have that much money,,,if I had them though then I dont see a reason not to do it if I wanted too...

Quote from: Jill F on January 16, 2014, 09:11:51 PM
Being a woman CAN be expensive, but I'd hate to think that a haircut, makeup and wardrobe is what defines me as such.

Suicide is cheap, whether the more direct route or (in my case) the installment plan.

Peace of mind is priceless.  This is what I'm really after.  The femme trappings are just gravy to me.

before starting HRT there was not a single day in my life that I didn't think of the quickest or most painless way to do suicide. Now since starting it hasn't crossed my mind. I've had 4 blissful months of thinking bright future

Well thats priceless!

Quote from: Emmaline on January 16, 2014, 09:28:46 PM
Well thats priceless!

yes it is

well katie, i don't care what you think to be honest

Quote from: latoya fox on January 16, 2014, 10:00:19 PM
well katie, i don't care what you think to be honest

:icon_evil_laugh: :icon_evil_laugh:

Hi friends  :police:

Yes, being a female can be expensive and everybody has a budget to deal with, some folks budgets may be higher than others and also some folks may not find it necessary to spend large amounts to satisfy their individual needs regardless of what their budget may allow

The important thing to keep in mind while posting here on this web site are some very basic rules listed in the Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.msg27408.html#msg27408)

Please review and observe these rules when posting and pay careful attention to rules 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 15

Thank you

V M

Yup being a woman can be expensive.

I have noted that my expenses have gone up since being full time..

Wearing makeup daily requires me to buy more regularly , moisturizing cream something i never cared about when i was male.. is something now i use daily. I found my skin on my legs is drier with shaved legs so I need to apply cream daily.

Women's clothes are generally more expensive than men's clothes, plus woman need more outfits as I have found woman have more levels between smart and causal.. and shoes.. they are also expensive.. and I love my shoes.. have a huge collection..

Womans underwear also more expensive.. even for the price of a cheap bra.. you can buy a pack of 5 mens underpants and the fancier the bra the more it costs.. I love my underwire push bra's and I love wearing sexy bra's and lace pushes up the price... i know no one see's it.. but that for me .

I actually have to agree with others clothes shoes etc are definitely the expensive part for me. Guy clothes I have like two pairs of jeans and just buy plain color tees in a four pack.

you have nice taste in clothes kitty, and love your hair

Yes clothes indeed.... not only are they more expensive but well, I love buying them lol :p
Something I didn't do much of before coming out.

Quote from: latoya fox on January 17, 2014, 01:59:28 PM
you have nice taste in clothes kitty, and love your hair

Thank you. I've been trying to find more tops like the one in my avatar.

I think the fact is that women's life revolves around presenting, or rather attracting the male counterpart, so intrinsically women are more susceptible to take extra good care of their Avatar ( body). Now, not all do, and this isn't one mold fits all, however as a general rule this is how world revolves.

Now add our point of view on finally being able to be part of such celebration of self, and you get someone who does care to present in utmost perfect way.
Nothing wrong with spending hundreds of dollars on feeling of adequacy, take it further and which girl wouldn't want to look like million bucks, however some even though having such need, simply can not afford such embellishments.

I for one can not afford anything besides good cosmetics, occasional drop dead gorgeous garment, or heels, oh yeah don't even start there, (heels I usually ware 3% of time, lol)
But in a nut shell, living life as a woman presents it self with challenges of aspiring to beauty, poise, and youth, which all do cost quite a bit!

Quote from: innainka on January 17, 2014, 08:58:55 PM
I think the fact is that women's life revolves around presenting, or rather attracting the male counterpart, so intrinsically women are more susceptible to take extra good care of their Avatar ( body). Now, not all do, and this isn't one mold fits all, however as a general rule this is how world revolves.

Loool! I lived 40 years as a man - can tell you with all honesty women don't dress for men - men will hit on anything. I've seen guys hit on girls vomiting outside of nightclubs.

Women take care of them selves because other women are constantly measuring and judging them. I really feel women dress and perform for other women to a much greater degree than to attract a man.

Quote from: oh hai! on January 18, 2014, 08:10:30 AM
Loool! I lived 40 years as a man - can tell you with all honesty women don't dress for men - men will hit on anything. I've seen guys hit on girls vomiting outside of nightclubs.

Women take care of them selves because other women are constantly measuring and judging them. I really feel women dress and perform for other women to a much greater degree than to attract a man.

Perhaps your view can be substantiated with concrete accounts of such behavior, I simply based the thesis on more scholastic point of view. Where in nature, to attract the mate is to prolong survival of the species. The more healthy the presentation, the more chance of receiving better, stronger genetic offspring. Such works for both counterparts, females attract with wide hips, large breast, male does so with upper body strength. Teeth have a part in presentation as is the skin, hair, ect.
Since males need to present their ability to hunt and protect, their presentation will be quite different then females who need be good birth givers, and gatherers.

So, our society had shaped these requirements in quite a western civilized direction, hence clothing, skin care, body modification, ect. But still, underneath of all the superficial toys, the reptilian brain does what it does best to the point! 

So I wouldn't lol so hard about it, after all it is the science!!!!

I know I spend more on clothes then ever before. But when you consider I have guy stuff that is likely older than half the people on Susan's..... Well, anything new is a LOT more then spent in the past.

However, I don't spend a lot generally. Thrift stores a girls best friend. For a few dollars you can buy about anything you think you might want. If it turns out to look ridiculous on you later, just donate it back.

lol @ oh hai. women don't dress for men don't be ridiculous, if they did, they might as well be walking around naked, i dress for myself when i leave the house, i don't care what guys think, for one i have a boyfriend

Quote from: latoya fox on January 18, 2014, 02:47:42 PM
lol @ oh hai. women don't dress for men don't be ridiculous, if they did, they might as well be walking around naked, i dress for myself when i leave the house, i don't care what guys think, for one i have a boyfriend

she didnt said that though XD
mistake

There really are infinite ways to be or present as a woman.  There is no one right way to be!  That being said it has been more expensive for me to change my wardrobe completely and I find that women's clothes are often sheer, delicate, and require layers.  They are less durable and other women do comment on what we wear.  I was amazed when one friend noted I had worn that same outfit to last months meeting.  Sheesh I didn't remember what i wore last week!  There are endless adornments, cosmetics and such to entice us and the beauty industry is happy to have us be insecure about femininity.

Beyond the joys of clothing and shopping are those real costs for transgender women: A few thousand for laser and other enhancements that while not required are certainly part of my self confidence.

to paraphrase other bright minds; Expensive yes and feeling this good, priceless!

Quote from: Tessa James on January 18, 2014, 05:13:39 PM
  I was amazed when one friend noted I had worn that same outfit to last months meeting.  Sheesh I didn't remember what i wore last week! 

I never understood this. girls in gym class would be upset because I wore the same bra last week Tuesday! really! There is nothing else to occupy a mind than what someone wore and when? One huge thing that I do not miss.

---

It depends on the item. I have noticed that for clothes, women's clothing can actually be cheaper, but you tend to "need" more of them. Panties are ALOT cheaper than equivalent (basic cotton panties vs. tighty whities) mens' underwear, but Bras add significantly to the cost [especially if your band size (> 38) and cup size (< B Cup, > D Cup) don't fit into the small range offered by cheap bras]. Men's jeans seem to be slightly cheaper, but I have run across women's jeans that are as cheap or cheaper than men's. Dresses vary wildly. The nice ones are going to be expensive, but so would a nice suit. But, a cheap dress will definitely run less than a cheap pair of pants and a shirt and probably look alot nicer.

Makeup is definitely a major expense. I do most of my makeup shopping at Sephora which can get expensive quick. There are cheap cosmetics, but you got what you paid for. For hair, I'm probably saving as I'm trying to grow my hair long. I used to only go to get it shortened. Some expenses that definitely add up - Mani-Pedis, Waxing / Hair Removal, etc...

One thing that I did notice positive for a woman is when visiting a tourist area. If you need clothes, you will pay ALOT less and have way more options than a man. One place I visited while I was living as a man...I ran out of clean shirts. The only shirts sold in the shops screamed TOURIST and were about $20-30/each. But, they had some very cute sundresses for alot cheaper and without the stupid logos that scream "I'm a Tourist". In town, you could find sundresses for far less than the cost a single pair of basic jeans. Just make sure you don't have to buy a Bikini in the tourist area.

[Edit] One thing that might also contribute to the higher cost is upfront costs. As a man you had a full wardrobe already and only needed to buy new clothes as you grew out of the old ones or they started falling apart. Now that you are transitioning you have to buy more clothes. The cost of clothes should wane over time as you build a complete wardrobe as should costs for stuff like hair removal.

Quote from: noleen111 on January 17, 2014, 09:10:42 AM
and shoes.. they are also expensive.. and I love my shoes.. have a huge collection..

Funny thing I noticed at Payless the other day was that I paid not much more for 3 pairs of Women's shoes (Wedges, Heels, and Flats) - $33 than for a single pair of Mens' dress shoes [for work - I'm not out at work yet] - $29. The reason was that they had so many Women's shoes on sale I had no problem finding 3 pairs (I probably could have found even more if I had smaller feet as there are more options in the single digits) that I liked, yet only found a handful of Men's dress shoes - all full price. Of course, overall shoes end up costing me more because I end up buying so many more pairs of women's shoes. As a man, I only needed 1 pair of work shoes, 1 pair of sneakers and some Flip Flops - Heck, I would've worn the Flip Flops to work if they would've let me. As a woman, I "need" multiple colors [to match my outfit] in multiple styles (Wedges, Low Heels, High Heels, Ballet Flats, Boots, Sandals, Sneakers, etc...) There is just so much more to choose from as a woman. I LOVE IT!

One way to get clothes are the internet 'brand exclusive sites' they sell end lots from the major labels at remarkably reduced prices. OK they tend to be in unpopular sizes but I got two dresses each advertised for $89 for $7 each last week, they were both David Lawrence label so nice quality. They have a really good return policy if they don't fit or you just dislike them when they arrive.

I'm on a rather limited budget and cannot often afford treats, so yes, nearly everything I've bought has been online and at drastically reduced close out prices  :)  It's kinda like getting nice brand new stuff at a thrift store price

Basically, merchandise takes up valuable space and retailers want to get it off their shelves and out of their warehouses to make way for the next round of new stuff so they wholesale it out to various discount sites

Plus I figured the only way I was getting anything I wanted for Christmas was to buy it with what little resources I am lucky enough have

You do have to be patient and selective but the deals are out there

If I exclude transition costs, like hair-removal, surgery, hormones, etc, I think I may have actually spent more money as a man than I do currently. I was small man in a country populated by very big men and had a horrible time buying clothing. I had to get suits custom made by a tailor! As a woman, however, I have no difficulties shopping and can be creative at a fraction of the costs I used to endure.
 

All I have to really add to this topic is. My previous monthly checks would last allot longer in boy mode than now. Being a girl is just to fun to say no sometimes or allot of times while shopping. lol  :D