Thinking About Moving..

[Guest Leigh]

well, i need to move. the more i think about this, the more i realize that it takes money.. which i have a little of saved up now, but i'm also thinking about buying a (used) car, which would put me back to 0..

so..thinking.

i have a friend who wants to move to Columbus. he's actually my sister's best friend. so we were thinking that maybe the three of us could get an apartment together.. which wouldn't be so bad. but i'd rather move out of ohio. but i'm afraid that i don't have enough money saved to move out of state yet.

but i've also been thinking about joining various programs that would pay for my housing and food... the only problem is that i wouldn't be saving anything, so i woulnd't be getting any closer to starting my transition.

i'm also worried about the next couple of months, because i just started a new job which has turned out to be a mistake b/c i was told i'd be working 25-30hrs and it's more like 15-20. and i quit a steady job for this, because my boss is a friend and i'm making more hourly...but in the big picture i'm actually making less money..less saved..means i can't move as soon as i'd like, or as far as i'd like.. means my transition is being put off further

well. i guess that's all i'm worried about right now. that and i'm afraid i'm too materialistic..lol..

thanks for reading

peace&love

[Carolyn Marie]

i'm afraid i'm too materialistic..lol..

Leigh, in these times, one cannot easily manage without being materialistic. Being an idealist won't

keep the electricity on and the water running, unless you've got an inheritance coming from a

rich uncle.

You're faced with some tough choices. You may have to compromise on something to make any

headway in the other areas. Shared place instead of moving further; helping your friend vs. taking

a better job; putting off transition vs. transportation needs. Geez, no wonder you're in doubt.

I would be too.

I wish I had the answers for you. There is always one sure way to make a choice: remember playing

eeny meeny miney moe?

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Girl Emily]

Leigh,

Hey I think you hit on something good with one of the job programs. Being out om your own cost a lot of money, even with roommates. The goal of job corps is to give you skill that will well enough for you to live on. You will also be more likely to get benefits that will help pay for hormones.

Huggs,

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Hi Leigh

Good to see you again (thanks for the comment )

In life, one has to balance what is wanted with what is needed. Do you need a car or do you want a car? You know, I did not actually own a car until I was in my latter twenties. I used mass-transit for transportation for years.

Supporting yourself will require a sustainable income. How steady does your current job seem? How steady do your potential roommates seem? If you signed a lease for an apartment, how confident are you that you would be able to make the rent payments?

It is good to move out with a buffer, but it is more important to have some sense of continuous income.

I think moving out on your own would be very good for you and I encourage you to do it as soon a possible

Try to keep your rent obligations to 1/4 your monthy income. In this way, you will be able to continue to build your buffer. Being able to save will help you achieve your goals.

Love

Brenda

[Guest Leigh]

thanks everyone for the replies. i might just go with Carolyn's "eeny meeny miney moe" advice...lol.

as for the car, i feel that if i move out and actually want to be able to have steady income, a car will be a huge plus.

and i don't know if there was some confusion about the programs i'm looking at, but i wouldn't be making any money, i would be getting free room and board (which is pretty much what i get now, living with my parents).

the job i have right now really isn't steady. it's seasonal to begin with, and as i already said, i'm not getting the kind of hours that i was lead to believe i would have.

right now, what seems most realistic is to wait a couple of months and see if i can find a job in a restaurant (what i was previously doing) in Columbus, in an apartment with a couple of roommates. i know there are some clinics around there that deal with LGBTQ so hopefully i would be able to get on route to my transition. oh, and i'm looking at an online gender therapist, so.. hopefully that'll work out.

thanks again for the advice.

peace&love

leigh

[Guest Donna Jean]

Dang it, Leigh! I'm so sorry...

At work today I was about to post to this...I got called away and when I came back I thought that I HAD posted to you...

Now I see that I didn't after all....what a bimbo!

Anyway...

I was pretty much on the same page as Carolyn....

Just weigh your options...Don't get in over your head....OK?

With Love!

Donna Jean

[Guest RachaelAnn]

Leigh do you have any marketable interests? For example I make extra money by designing websites, and my band doe gigs whenever we can. If you can get into something like that you may be able to work up something better for yourself. Hope this helps.

Rachael

[Guest Leigh]

DJ- don't worry, i'm not going to get in over my head. i'm just looking at my options right now, and moving to Columbus seems to be the best option in the near future.

Rachael- i don't know about "marketable" but i'm something of an artist, i've been making pottery for something like seven years, i can sew pretty well, i can paint& draw...but like i said, not sure about marketable. i've had most experience as a cook, but i can learn any job pretty quickly.

anyway, i've been talking to my sister and our friend, and we're looking at some apartments. we wouldn't be moving until more like july at the earliest, so i'm just not going to worry about a car right now, and see how things go. i'll be sure to update if/when i actually decide something...knowing me it'll take a long time before there is any kind of concrete plan..

thanks for the advice, etc.

peace&love

leigh