Financial Costs and Financial Ruin

Well, a bit a startling news. News that I had known was bad, but each time I see these numbers I shudder. Look below for recent figures on what a friends' transition cost. How am I going to afford this transistion? Putting away $180 a month is not going to cut it. Talk about a bummer. Right now, dear readers, as you know I am in the physical process of the transistion. The cheap part. Look at some of these numbers: $13,000 for electrolysis. What? How in the world? That's not even the most scary number. It IS the most painful, if the laser hair removal I've had is any indication, though. How about $23,000 for the Facial Feminisation Surgery (FFS)? This is what I consider the most important (for me). How on earth can I accomplish this? I know all about where there is a will, there is a way, but gosh. I can save and cut costs, skip meals and so forth, get a second job and stuff, but seriously. Raid my pension? I'm all for it, if my future ex-wife will agree.

I was thinking about ways I could make a bunch of money. Drug running and prostitution are out of the question. Jail and prison are not something I would do well in.

I was thinking I could write a book maybe. Not necessarily about the transistion, but something. That is just a dream at this point. What else could I do? Sell stuff? Not out of the question, but will it make a significant contribution?

Also something else I have to consider is the fact I'll be dealing with the financial costs of a divorce and child support. I'm not sure what kind of shape that'll leave me in. Not good I'm sure, but who knows. I'm consulting with a knowledgeable attorney in a couple of days to kind of get a feel for what ruin lies ahead.
Below is a post copied from a web friend who has tallyed the cost. I have seen her and am suitably impressed. Yes I know what you're going to say. That it's not all about looks, That I could do this for a lot less. You're right in a sense. What some people don't understand is that this IS about looks for us. Not in a narcissistic fashion, but in the way that someone without a leg needs a prosthetic limb to function well.  Having the body match the soul is the whole reason we give up everything.


What I am terrified of is getting stuck in between genders. Not being able to go backwards or forwards. I'm going to burn some bridges, ones that will not be repairable. Sink or swim is what it's going to be about, I guess. The drive is great enough that many people have done just that, jumped into the water and started swimming. Not a bad idea. The fear of the unknown and what lies ahead are enough to scare some girls to stay on dry land. I'm one. I've been so scared of what lies beneath the surface of the water, that I've stayed on the sidelines my whole life, while other people frolic. It gets to the point that some, including me, just can't take it anymore and jump in. Water depth be dammed and start treading.  
Some on the other hand, have jumped in and went straight to the bottom and my heart and soul are saddened.

For the costs read the post below:

by Jen

The grand total is:  $70,297.08.  That is what my transition cost in monetary terms.  That was all paid out over the course of three years.  That's an insane amount of money.  Money I didn't really have.  It took a lot of sacrafices, and a miracle as well.  There's plenty of overtime, side projects, and hard work involved.  I still owe some of that, and suspect it'll be a few years before my budget looks more black than red.  I did what I had to in order to get here, because it's what I needed to do.  I know girls who transitioned for a lot less, and the truth is that the costs vary by person in both financial & emotional terms.  At the end of the day, you have to get to the place where you can look in the mirror and not want to smash it.  Being here was worth all the sacrifices involved, worth every cent.


Here's the breakdown:
Therapy 2008-2011  : $625
Laser hair removal    : $2,525
Clothing Expenses    : $1,000
Electrolysis               : $13,747.41
HRT                           : $1,975
Voice Therapy           : $116.99
FFS                            : $23,297
Name Change           : $290
SRS & BAS                 : $26,720.68
Total                   : $70,297.08           


What's included:
Therapy 2008-2011 : Good insurance, these were my co-pays.
Laser hair removal :  For all the areas HRT didn't make a difference.
Clothing Expenses :  I spent way more than this on clothes, but this was the starting budget that I used to buy my new wardrobe.
Electrolysis :  Seven trips down to E3000 including travel expenses, and several hours from my local tech.
HRT : Out of pocket expenses for hormones and bloodwork.  Now that I'm post op, thankfully these costs are now very low, and covered by insurance.
Voice Therapy : A set of CDs and lots of practice, by far the best investment.
FFS :  Surgery costs along with necessary medications.
Name Change : Court and RMV charges.
SRS & BAS : Surgery, travel, and supply costs.