Financial & Emotional Cost of Gender Transition | Perspective Shift
Transition is expensive both financially and emotionally—Dr. Z explains why it's "good debt" that's worth incurring.
Financial reality: Surgical transition alone can exceed $100,000. Insurance coverage has limitations—in-network vs out-of-network, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums. Top skilled surgeons often don't take insurance. Emotional costs: fears of losing your partner, family not supporting you, friends leaving, ending up alone. These costs make people stop from transitioning because the fear of debt is terrifying.
Here's the perspective shift: There are two types of debt. Bad debt sinks you lower—buying things you don't need (new TV when yours works fine, expensive purses, dining out), living beyond your means. These purchases bring temporary pleasure but depreciate quickly and never generate income. Good debt generates returns—education degrees, property ownership, things that eventually make you money or better your life.
Transition is good debt. You're investing money and emotional energy to be healthier, combat dysphoria, be more authentic and congruent. Result? You'll be more productive, energized, confident, successful in life. Plus it's done and over—not ongoing incremental debt.
Watch to find out why many people engage in bad debt while being upset they don't have finances for transition, and how stopping bad debt could save enough money to start transitioning.
