I took a job with no health insurance/benefits beyond a few perks. Basically, I get paid higher than minimum wage, but I don't have health insurance(I apparently have some coverage through my dad until I'm twenty four or five, but he won't send me the information I need to use it). I bought bulk foods like rice and would sometimes buy fruits and vegetables that were on sale and would make meals that could last a long time. Before I had my job, I also sold things that other people liked and wanted. There were some bits of gold jewelry people had given me a long time ago, so I sold them to be melted down and made about $1800 USD that way. I sold luxury items, like an iPod, an Xbox 360, and any games that went with it. I used to play the guitar, but I sold mine for a little scrap cash.
For testosterone and other transition-related needs, I became a patient at a low-income clinic. The medication is cheaper there, and so were the appointments.
To save money on my bills, I stopped using heating/air conditioning and insulated my home with some DIY tricks I learned from others. It cut back on costs significantly and allowed me to put that money aside for surgery.
I also paid the rent and bills on time, too. It prevents late-fees and can be very beneficial in the long run. I watched my pay cycle like a hawk and would always put a certain percentage into my savings account.
Though I'd allow myself the occasional movie or game if I met my monthly goal, I pretty much refused to spend money on something if it wasn't a strict need. A new binder? Well, I needed a binder, but I ended up trading my stretched out one with a bigger guy who wanted something more comfortable. A packer? I didn't need to buy a fancy packer while saving for surgery, so I made one. Clothes? No, no, and no. I wanted new work clothes and shoes, but instead put in a little effort to clean the ones I had up and deal with them until my surgery date. And if I needed underwear or socks, I'd just get a pack of cheap stuff.
Social activities that would cost money were also not allowed. Like I said, I would sometimes see a movie if I had met my financial goal for the month, but I would normally just meet friends at my place or elsewhere and we'd watch a movie or whatever.
Since I don't have a car, I carpool to work. I give a little bit of gas money to the coworker I go with, but that's a necessity and only fair since we don't have public transport in my area.
Without a job it took me almost three to four years to get up to $2000 USD, but I was too young to have surgery with Garramone anyway and was proud that I saved that much. After I got my job, it took four months to raise the cost of his surgery at the time($5900). I booked it as soon as I was certain it would be okay to put that money down. And then it took about two months to raise the money I would need for travel expenses and as a cushion for after surgery.
If you are incredibly disciplined, you can save for surgery. I considered carecredit, but after hearing some reviews from people that used it, I decided not to.
Look at your situation - is there anything about it you can change to help save money? Are there things in your life that you can live without? Think on it. Write up some plans and make financial goals. They don't have to be huge goals, just significant enough to make you feel more confident in saving once you meet them.
