Currently living that "double life", I am still figuring out my path & weighing a lot of factors. Would you be able to share in detail what have been the most necessary/difficult financial expenses to reach your personal wellness goals as a transwoman?
This is an interesting question. While there are some common expenses somewhat universal to early-transition, this is one of those things that varies greatly for different people. There are so many things to factor in:
• do you plan on transitioning medically/seeking out medical assistance? do you have insurance that will cover therapy, HRT, endo appointments? If not, these items can be significant investments?
• do you plan on transitioning at your current job? If not, do you have something else lined up? If yes, do you have a plan in place in case things change in your employment status during transition?
• the cost of a new wardrobe.
• planning on growing your hair out? Wearing a wig? Getting your hair styled can be a somewhat significant cost. A wig might run you a couple hundred dollars.
Then there are other items that you may or may not intend on going through with. Example: if you're planning on getting any surgeries related to transition (SRS, FFS, BA), those can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Laser hair removal may cost upwards of $1,000 (likewise with electrolysis, though that can be even more expensive).
• do you plan on transitioning medically/seeking out medical assistance? do you have insurance that will cover therapy, HRT, endo appointments? If not, these items can be significant investments?
• do you plan on transitioning at your current job? If not, do you have something else lined up? If yes, do you have a plan in place in case things change in your employment status during transition?
• the cost of a new wardrobe.
• planning on growing your hair out? Wearing a wig? Getting your hair styled can be a somewhat significant cost. A wig might run you a couple hundred dollars.
Then there are other items that you may or may not intend on going through with. Example: if you're planning on getting any surgeries related to transition (SRS, FFS, BA), those can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Laser hair removal may cost upwards of $1,000 (likewise with electrolysis, though that can be even more expensive).