Susan's Place Transgender Resources

One of the other topics brought up the issue of transition funding and I was wondering how people here are funding theirs?

I have an interesting story. I was with an independently wealthy gay guy when I transitioned and he helped me pay for surgery even though it meant the two of us breaking up. It would make a good made-for-tv movie someday.

by the skin of my teeth

wow, that IS an amazing story.

Mine's not so fancy...I work for a property management company, and soon I will be able to have an apartment given to me for free....so no more rent or utility payments. Combined with selling a bit of land that I've been holding onto in New England, and I should be set to even take off a cople months after my eventual SRS to recover.

Seems kinda....blah...compared to yours ;)

Out of pocket and some insurance.

Quote from: TaoRaven on March 13, 2014, 10:25:40 PM
wow, that IS an amazing story.

Mine's not so fancy...I work for a property management company, and soon I will be able to have an apartment given to me for free....so no more rent or utility payments. Combined with selling a bit of land that I've been holding onto in New England, and I should be set to even take off a cople months after my eventual SRS to recover.

Hey it's not the story it's getting it done! Though yeah, mine is unique and a little tragic.

I'm personally planning on scouring the northwest to see if I can locate any more of DB Coopers money.

In all seriousness, I have no idea. The story of my 20's was every new job paying LESS than the one before had paid. The last job I had, when I finally decided to start transitioning, was a part time job paying federal minimum wage. I have since lost that job, and haven't yet found another to replace it.

So, at this point thinking about financing surgeries is something my brain just doesn't even know how to do. May as well be a billion dollars to me.

Thankfully, at my current dose, I have enough estrogen to last until August, and my Rx for spiro and prometrium doesn't run out until May. So, I have some buffer room before that panic sets in.

Right now I'm trying to save every red cent I can and I'm also suing my old company for a hostile work place and I have the evidence to prove it. I have a lawyer. They took the case for free. It's one of the largest trans advocacy orgs in the country. So I should get a good chunk of change from that.

All I know is I'm going to find a way to do it. Maybe my kinda Bf's mom will pay for it. They're rich. She really likes me. And she knows I have sex with her son, so...ya never know. I've asked him. He doesn't say no. he just says "we'll see." Whatever that means. He is still on the fence with me in some ways though he has come a long way. He did accuse me of putting a spell on him lol and once duting a bad altercation said "I thought I would never see you again. I couldn't imagine anything worse." It wasn't rehearsed either so I'm hoping he helps. But the problem is he also really really good looking, like james franco good looking, so sometimes all i think is why are you with me? I thought he was trying to get back with his ex but today he said she's such a bitch. She's not like you.

But if not him then my other option is going to grad school at a school that has insurance that pays for SRS, like U of Penn. Or getting a job at City hall. The other thing I want to maybe do is find a good inexpensive doctor in South America in a country with favorable exchange rates, like Argentina. They have skilled doctors and it is a consitutional right in that country to have SRS.

I was extremely lucky to have a very generous friend who loaned me the money for my GRS. She got that all back eventually and as soon as possible. Back then I was in an extremely badly paid job so it was difficult to even manage to live.
Now I have a very well paid job and have paid for all other surgeries since then myself. The last one I intend to have is just a short month away in South Korea at Yesons.
I've spent a small fortune over the years trying to correct natures blunder. But it's all been worthwhile.

Saving up for anything is going to be very difficult considering I'll probably be paying around $3000 a month in child support and alimony. Fortunately, my employer has made sure to have transgender specific provisions in our insurance. Therapy, hormones, lab work, GRS, trachea shave, and breast augmentation is all covered. But I'll still have to foot the bill for FFS and VFS if I can ever manage to save up for them. Hrmm, wonder if I should try renting a storage unit and living out of my car...

Kia Ora,

Re: How did / do / will you fund your transition?

::) With the help of a "Sugar Daddy" called the New Zealand Government....

My surgery was government funded(my taxes) and HRT is subsidised (again by my taxes)

Metta Anatta:)

This has to be the worst part of transitioning to me.

I knew when I decided to enter into this things were going to be expensive. It's stressful to even think about, and it doesn't help that I think about it pretty much everyday. Right now things are in limbo and I'm trying to get the train moving. I'm finishing up my resume now and will be sending it out to different prospects next week. I'm a nursing asst and I'm throwing every dollar into getting my first procedures done so I can go 24/7 asap. I'm to the point where I don't want to live as I am another day. Good thing is I don't pay any bills or rent for my apartment so that's a huge weight off my shoulders. I can dedicate 97% of my income to this. Plus my boyfriend will be moving in around June so I'll be able to add what he'll give me to the pot.

I wish I had someone who could help out, even if it was just with the full body laser I need. I wanna cry when I think about how much that alone is going to cost. Sadly, I'll have to get that done before my first major surgery. I plan on getting a Brazilian Butt Lift first. I've gained a good amount of weight in my tummy over the past 5yrs, add to that the weight I gained in my inner thighs, and I want to get that sexy lower shape. I'm way overweight for my height, which is 5'7, and the extra weight is putting a strain on my lower back. So to get this done would be killing 2 birds with one stone. Because it's the most annoying procedure to recover from, I want to get it out of the way first. Then I want to get my breasts & ffs done at the same time, then I'll wait a few yrs to save up for srs.

Out of all my procedures I think FFS will be the most expensive because I think it'll run me about 25k, only because I'm seriously leaning towards Dr. Lee in BH. My friend went to him and she looks amazing. But if push comes to shove I may go with Cardenas. I'm just afraid of getting a nose that looks to "European". I saw what Dr. Lee did to my friends nose along with everything else so I'm set on him for now.

It's so sad what we have to give just to be ourselves, what's saddest is that a lot of it all depends on money. 

NHS did mine but they had 18 years contributions from me as I worked from 16.I sold my classic Mercury Comet to pay for a good bit of electrolysis and body waxing and also new clothes instead of stuff from charity shops

Hi.

In my normal manner  got off my back side and worked plus was given some money from our daughter and when i had the amount  $ 16,000 went for surgerys in Thailand, 
even though not a trans person i still needed surgerys, i paid for every thing  i never ask for money from any one  yet iv been very well surplyed with what i needed, i cant ask for more,

...noeleena...

Mostly as I can. I haven't had any surgeries, but I pay for hrt as I go and my dad did help out initially with laser and some doctor bills. He wanted to pay for srs before he died, but I wouldn't take it, he was dealing with cancer and he needed the money more than me, plus no way did I want to make him do without anything during his last few years. I have thought about selling my house, but the market sucks currently and besides, its very helpful not to have to pay rent or a mortgage right now.

Wow, I also wasn't thinking about the fact that different people want / require different surgeries / procedures, etc. I'm really fortunate to have little body hair and all of it blonde so I didn't do any hair removal except for some electrolysis on my face. The only other thing I've done is SRS and a tracheal shave. I was exploring FFS at one point (really prominent brow ridge) but the couple of people I consulted with strongly discouraged it. So my bill ended up being about $12,000 since hormones are covered by insurance. And yes, my ex paid for that, which I'd feel guilty about if he were struggling but it's all inheritance money. I feel more guilty that he thinks the man he loved died when I had the surgery, but he loved the man so much that he was willing to pay for it anyway.... argh.

That *is* an interesting story!

I worked three jobs; I estimate transition cost less than $25K overall including GRS, and it still took me three years to save up enough money for surgery.

Living with my mother helped somewhat. She paid for the first set of surgeries. After that my company was earning enough to cover everything. Then the recent SRS was paid using 0% credit cards, which I'm paying off. HRT and blood tests are paid by the NHS.

Unless something good happens, I am going to be paying for things by my paycheck. HRT is quite affordable, the hair removal stuff isn't so bad, but I don't think I have ever had over $10K in my bank account, so SRS and FFS will be very difficult.

I am considering allocating some money towards rebuilding my credit, and going into debt again to get these things done. I still have some old outstanding debt that I would need to pay off, but I am pretty sure that it would come out to be better than just saving that cash. Still I have to do more research on exactly how effective this could be, my overall debt is lower than $10k (if you don't factor in my car) so it shouldn't be too hard to pay off.

I am renting a room from a friend, bought a car used instead of new, and really trying to be cheap on food and wardrobe expenses to allow the most to be used for transition. Still I am looking into increasing my cash flow, as I can only cut but so much out of my budget, yet there isn't really a ceiling on how much money I can earn; though in practical terms unless I move to a different career field which I want to do $70K seems to be about as much as it is possible for me to make, but I don't make nearly that much so I do have room to grow so to speak.

I've been saving as much as I can, but not as much as I should, if that makes any sense. I still buy a lot of useless trinkets. The FFS surgeon I saw recently told me what my costs would be, and I was overjoyed to find out I could pay for it and have money left over. Then, I was brought back to reality when I discovered the cost of SRS here in the US.  :eusa_doh:

My plan is basically to sell all my collectables and as much as my "male past" items. I hardly have any debt, have great credit, and can use a few credit cards if I need to.

I use to prostitute myself on the streets at night, now I do it in a house and put my publicity online and do it part time, in daytime I have a normal job, sometimes I do camsex on webcam on cam4 and they pay me by paypal. My first set of surgeries as boobs was paid by one of my client who became a friend. The major stuff I'm fighting my own battle alone right now.

It hasn't really cost much... humm. Insurance covers my hrt. I mean aside from the cost of being a girl to begin with. Still trying to figure out how i would pay for SRS if i was gonna stay a girl.

Quote from: sad panda on March 14, 2014, 11:39:37 AM
It hasn't really cost much... humm. Insurance covers my hrt. I mean aside from the cost of being a girl to begin with. Still trying to figure out how i would pay for SRS if i was gonna stay a girl.

So you may not stay a girl!!???

Mine is all covered by the NHS, though strictly speaking I have already covered the cost three times over in national insurance contributions.

Rosie

My transition is being funded by myself through savings. I've also had to cut back on spending and sell things I don't really need anymore. No more expensive holidays for me for a while!  >:(

Quote from: Just Shelly on March 14, 2014, 03:37:18 PM
So you may not stay a girl!!???

Uh huh I wanna detransition

Quote from: mandonlym on March 14, 2014, 07:29:04 AM
Wow, I also wasn't thinking about the fact that different people want / require different surgeries / procedures, etc. I'm really fortunate to have little body hair and all of it blonde so I didn't do any hair removal except for some electrolysis on my face. The only other thing I've done is SRS and a tracheal shave. I was exploring FFS at one point (really prominent brow ridge) but the couple of people I consulted with strongly discouraged it. So my bill ended up being about $12,000 since hormones are covered by insurance. And yes, my ex paid for that, which I'd feel guilty about if he were struggling but it's all inheritance money. I feel more guilty that he thinks the man he loved died when I had the surgery, but he loved the man so much that he was willing to pay for it anyway.... argh.

Well on the bright side what body hair I still do have is very light and sparse compared to before HRT. Body hair was a major trigger for me when puberty started. The way it is now I'm guessing a few sessions and it'll be gone which is a relief, even though I'll have to focus on the facial hair the most.

A breast job is a no brainier I want my girls to be fuller and rounder to even out my overall shape. I don't expect mine to get any larger, even though I'm giving it another yr just to be sure.

As far as FFS I pass already without it, I only want it to make things just right and erase the little things that are still visible such as my hair line.

The BBL is high on my list because I want a nice thick curvy shape, as most African American women do and I'm no exception..lol

As far as hormones, I don't pay anything for spiro or estridiol pills and I only pay $20 for my delestrogen injections which is a blessing.

2 jobs, 60-70 hours per week over 6 sometimes 7 days and friends that understand that I need every hour I can grab both jobs throw my way to afford make it affordable. Now if only I can stop buying boots

I wish our government would finally allow us to be covered under Medicare.
But for now, I have my work take out $175 in taxes so I should get back around $4000-4400 a year.

I live in Colorado, and there are a few companies that will cover everything including SRS, but I have no clue how to find these plans.  Not this Thursday, but next I will be joining a local support group, and will talk to others about it. 

If I pay out of pocket, my plan is to go to Thailand, for SRS.

Quote from: Emily King on March 15, 2014, 09:55:40 AM
...there are a few companies that will cover everything including SRS, but I have no clue how to find these plans.

You can start by looking through HRC's Corporate Equality Index (http://www.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/cei_2014_full_report_rev7.pdf#page=75). Look for companies in your industry with a 100 percent ranking.

Quote from: sad panda on March 14, 2014, 05:50:21 PM
Uh huh I wanna detransition

I understand if you don't want to talk about it but what made you decide or think about detransitioning?

Quote from: mandonlym on March 13, 2014, 10:21:50 PM
One of the other topics brought up the issue of transition funding and I was wondering how people here are funding theirs?

I have an interesting story. I was with an independently wealthy gay guy when I transitioned and he helped me pay for surgery even though it meant the two of us breaking up. It would make a good made-for-tv movie someday.

Good for you. There are plenty of people in the world with capital/$. 20-30K is nothing for a rich man. I'm financially OK & do not need any financial help.

If I may to others. It's OK if you find a man that wants to help you change. It's just OK. There are so many lonely men out there & perhaps the relationship can work long after your SRS.

Right now insurance is paying for my hrt. However, for my 1st 2 months and 2 weeks I paid for the meds out of pocket. Finally got things straightened out with insurance and they're paying for my meds including the expensive Avodart. For me to be whole though, I must have SRS. FFS, and even VFS take a back seat when it comes to correcting natures blunder. As for whether or not my insurance will pay for SRS I just don't know yet.

Saving anything is hard for me right now as I have a mortgage, the normal bills, and insurance premiums on my home, truck, and boat monthly that come out of my low fixed income. I do work for myself on the side which helps with spending money each month, and no longer having to pay out of pocket for my hrt meds will free up some finances. However I do have an ace in the hole if my insurance won't pay. My home is close to being paid off. In less than 5 years I'll own my home and both lots here on the island free and clear -less if I can refinance. So I do have refinancing, reverse mortgage as I'll be over 50 by the time 2 years of hrt will be completed, and the option of selling my home using that money for SRS and moving back to the reservation I was born on.

For me SRS is an absolute must within a reasonable amount of time of hrt. For now I'm very happy with my progress and with the way hrt is changing me for the better, and hrt giving me back my long black locks of hair thickening it and filling in the spots where DHT started to take it away from me. However with all the years of my life waisted in misery for other peoples sake, well, let's just say I don't want to lose my positive sense of being I finally have by discussing how I'll afford SRS if my insurance won't help further. As I've stated I do have a few options, and I do have talent with boats and computers for making extra money, so for now I'll elect to remain positive and have faith things will work out with regard to my SRS. ;)

I'm thinking about getting a sugar daddy maybe at the end of the year or so. I've had a lot of older guys with money be like "ohh, ya know, id like to help" and I'm always like "uumm, maybe" but turned off by the idea. But now, I dunno. Its not soo bad an idea. To have a guy make me his perfect woman, we both get something out of the deal, and its nt prostitution. So maybe that. Otherwise, I'll just be patient. Stay at home, save money, maybe even webcam model. I'm not even 100% sure SRS is my path. Regardless, I'll make it work. I'm young, so I have time to just develop for now, the n make a game plan.

I'm fortunate to be living at home rent free, so almost every bit I make is going into electrolysis right now. For the time being, I have an excellent drug plan covering 100% of my prescription costs. Sadly this will end eventually because my hours have been cut to the bone.

While the province will pay for my GRS, I'm planing to pay out of pocket to get a tracheal shave done at the same time.

Right now I'm working two jobs to save up. I'm self employed with one of them, but I'm pretty busy with it. I'll probably start laser and/or electrolysis soon, just to get it over with faster. I'm saving a good amount per month now.

My company allows employees to borrow up to half of the vested balance of their retirement savings in a loan to be paid back over 5 years. Warning: there are major tax penalties if you don't pay it off before you change employers (though if you document it, tax deductible medical spending like GCS can be exempt from the penalty).

If, and it's a big IF, I ever decide to transition I will go to a psychiatrist and hopefully get a diagnose that I'm trans. Then the government will fund most of the procedures along the way except hair-removal. So that procedure I'll have to fund for myself. Luckily(????) I was involved in a traffic accident when I was seventeen and got out almost $20 000 in insurance money, so hopefully that will be enough.

And all this is hypothetical so far. I'm clueless...

my insurance in RI covers a lot of transgender stuff im on Medicaid and medicare and they pay for a lot of stuff here, but I think a lot of the health programs in RI have changed a lot of there transgender rules, I could be wrong but I have had no problems yet. I already have an endocrinologist appointment that my insurance is paying for.

I have funded my own costs out of pocket with my satisfactory middle class job. My costs include, all hair removal, copays, travel etc. My costs have totaled about $10k over the last two years.
Insurance though my job has funded much more, including my SRS. Now determining what insurance has covered is difficult, because they negotiate costs down, a $700 lab out of my pocket may only cost my insurance a negotiated $100. So I'll just have to place a nice round number on it my insurance has funded about $40k over the same time period. This is a significant work perk, not a random chance though, I laid groundwork for many year before transitioning including my government job.

Well this seems like cheating but I am fully covered by my mother, she is willing to spend up to $40-50k for this which seems to be enough since I dont plan on getting any extensive FFS. She was planning on getting a summer house in a coastal town in the mediterranean before I came out so I kinda feel bad for her. I am still financialy dependent on her and this kinda blows

I funded my transition with a job, then when I went full time I lost said job, Now im a self employed massage therapist, and get meger hours at a home health care company.

How will I afford GRS? probably never, most likely ill be slicing off my phallius and scrotum with my skinning knife when I turn 30. So that only gives me 4 years to try and save up the money. And at the rate things are going, thats what will end up happening, ive more or less resigned myself to it. I just gotta keep my promise to myself and wait till im 30.