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Paying for gender transition: Modify your timeline

If, after modifying your income and spending, you still don’t have enough to meet your goals, you will need to adjust your timeline. It’s better to do this early on than once you’re in the middle of things. Many people who set an unrealistic plan and then have to postpone become very depressed.

I discuss laying out a transition timetable elsewhere, but the highlights to consider are this:

Make going full-time your first big goal. Plan toward that financially and otherwise. Keep other goals in focus, but you’ll need to have a successful work transition to meet those goals on time.

Hair removal can take one to four years. It will take about two to sixteen weeks to reach your first full clearing, depending on your facial hair and how much you can afford. I strongly urge getting as much facial hair removal completed as possible prior to going full-time. It only gets harder to deal with after that.

If you think you need a trachea shave or other surgical procedures prior to going full-time, you should plan based on those costs.

Your time frame needs to be flexible, since some things have to happen in sequential order. If you plan a surgery in 18 months, that only gives you six months to get ready for full-time. That’s a lot to do in six months. It’s possible, but it would take effort. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Give yourself the time you need to transition on your own terms.

If you have to slow down your transition, it’s not the end of the world. Take a look at where you stand at the time. Run through these exercises again and see if you were able to stay on track with your estimates. If you didn’t, find out where you strayed and why.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are transitioning too quickly or slowly. You must transition at a pace that feels right to you.

Sometimes, something unexpected will happen. Maybe something good, like an unexpected inheritance, or something bad, like a layoff. Life can be that way. Have a little padding in your budget in case of emergencies. If it’s so tight that even a tiny unexpected expense like a car problem will bring the whole plan crashing down, you are being unrealistic.

Next: Modify your dreams

Disclaimer: This is financial talk, not financial advice. Some of this may not apply to you. It is presented without warranty. It may contain errors or omissions. You must do your own research.