Being in the closet keeps my spending a fraction of what I spend on my other passions.
Being in the closet keeps my spending a fraction of what I spend on my other passions.
I do not make any attempt to rationalize my purchases just as I do not attempt to rationalize any other part of my behavior. It is simply a part of who I am.
In my next life I will choose to have cheaper passions than crossdressing and photography, like heroin.
It takes a real man to wear a dress.
well over the years i have spent a lot of money in CDing, not just clothes, but make up, shoes, etc.
and well i must say if i see something in a store that i like i buy it.
at least it is not porn or food or somthing that dose not last long at least the clothing last for a long time along with the feelling it gives me
I have never tried to rationalize the money I have spent on cd'ing for the past 50 years. I came out just 10 months ago and now spend much more than I used to when I was closeted. I now have stay at home clothes and going out clothes. To save money I do most of my shopping at thrift stores, I can't do that with my other hobbies.
My rationalization,it just makes me happy and thats worth investing in.I've not been dressing a lot lately but when I do its nice to have a range of things to select from and It means enough to me to justify the expenditure.
I very seldom ever get a chance to dress although this past weekend I spent en femme. I do spend a lot on CDing. It seems I want at least one of everthing. I want to try everything womanly imaginable. That usually means adding more and more to my seldom used wardrobe. I want to try all the different looks that women have enjoyed over the last 60 or so years. For example, different types of foundations for different types of skirts or dresses. Different tops (blouses, sweaters, etc) for different types of skirts, etc. Yes, I really do want to try it all.
Some things are obvious: wigs, bra, breastforms, stockings, heels, gaffe, corset, makeup.
On the other hand, there are things that might be considered part of our "hobby", but are good for us in any mode, even if they are discressionary:
facial peels, moisturizers, toners, body lotion, hand creme, nail hardener. My doctor is of the opinion that we should all fight the aging process. Men have forever avoided taking care of their skin. I agree with my Dr.!
Lastly, some clothes are simply cheaper in the female version, specifically panties and jeans. OKOK, I know you can spend a fortune for jeans, but if you watch for sales and buy before you are despirate, fewer dollars are spent. By the way, haven't you noticed that even as guys we look better in woman's jeans? The last stat I saw was the 10% of the female jeans sold are being worn by men!
tina
I Just Love Thrift and Nearlly New Stores!
And most of ALL.. COESIGNMENT Stores!!!
Where the stuff doesnt get soled and it is sold FAR Cheaper!!
Soo much Variety, Too!!!
Last edited by Melora; 03-25-2009 at 11:34 PM.
Good question. I really don't have much of a rationalization. Other than my femme side will dry me crazy until all discretionary income is spent on her. I recently tried for the past couple of months spending money on only guy stuff (video games, electronics, male clothes).
For some reason I did not feel very happy during this period and ended up not really using anything I bought. Just recently I had a good shopping trip in which I bought 2 skirts and 2 tops and I just felt so much happier and that my money was well spent as opposed to when I bought a new suit.
Many years ago I became discusted with the fit of baggy men's jeans. Tried on some leg hugging ladies jeans, and loved the way they looked and felt!
Then, sadly, I discovered their achilles heel! The POCKETS on ladies jeans r for decoration only! I need pockets that r functional, to hold my keys, knife, change, checkbook, wallet, etc.
NOT ready to start carrying around a purse yet!
U can't keep doing the same things over and over and expect to enjoy life to the max. When u try new things, even if they r out of your comfort zone, u may experience new excitement and growth that u never expected.
Challenge yourself and pursue your passions! When your life clock runs out, you'll have few or NO REGRETS!
Funny-I was going to ask the group that question, but I was going to phrase it in terms of the present scary economy. I am really getting concerned about the recession, though I actually have two jobs (neither well paid). How can you (we) justify spending money on things that aren't basics (food, paying the bills, gas to get to work, etc. are the basics) when NOBODY's financial set-up is secure, from the king of Saudi Arabia on down? I really worry that some of us (& me) might look back a month from now (or a week from now) & wish we had the money we spent for something we wanted, as opposed to needed. Because when the electric bill, heating bill, rent etc. comes due, those guys aren't interested in what we wanted...
P.S. Fran-I really like your reply!
I've spent very little. When I was sure I was just a CD, it was hard. I mostly bought things I'd wear regularly and "get some use out of." These were really the things that served the sexual excitement I initially got out of it, so lingerie, nightgowns, heels, things like that.
Now that I'm feeling more like I'm TS, I justify them as an investment in the future. Gawd, I will hate shopping like a woman, though. Having to have twenty pairs of everything and shoes and purses galore. Trying on EVERYTHING. Seriously, I have no fashion sense, so I'll have to be surrounded by a crew just to make sure I don't look like an idiot.
I'll miss my t-shirts and jeans, that's for sure.
"Thoughts are the shadows of feelings, always darker, emptier, and simpler. I don't care if they're fake or real, I just thank them for showing up at all. I have black periods. Who does not? But they are part of me; they are not a part of illness, but a part of my being. What am I saying? I have the courage to have them. Four o' clock in the morning. This sucks." - Alkaline Trio - Warbrain (First line courtesy of Nietzsche)
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Doc -
It's a good question.. the fact is, even though I am the sole bread winner of the house I do feel guilty about having spent the money on these things. I've probably spent close to $3,000 over the past 5 years buying and purging. I hate it. It's money she doesn't know about from side jobs here and there.. but I still feel very bad about hiding it from her.
Just one more facet to this thing that bothers me, but I can't seem to purge from my life. I'm now at the stage where I'm doing my level best to not purge for fear of re-acquiring my "items". I need help..
- Kat
This is a good question. But I think it's more about what we're spending the money on rather than how much. My wife went balistic when she discovered I "wasted" $28 on a bra and panties I got on sale at Victoria's Secret, when she spends more than double that on manicures every month. I think it's great that she does that, I don't think it's a waste. This is just a reaction to my cding. If it was somthing she approved of there would be no problem. This is just one of the signs of her lack of acceptance.
KIM
Since mine comes out of loan money since I am a student still I rationalize.
Personally for me I have had trouble in the past with it. Now I have come to realize that I shouldn't feel bad about spending some money while not near as much as many others since I don't go to bars or spend much on entertainment really so I can justify my purchases. It is a part of me and I am unhappy with out it. That in turn can effect my grades if I am constantly unhappy. I also think about when I do come out as what I have bought I can wear out.
I spend my mileage money on it! When that check comes in, I go shopping! I'm closeted, so I usually just buy panties, sexy lingerie, pantyhose, thigh highs, bras, etc. I fit in a lot of my wife's dresses, so that's great! Thank God I don't have to buy dresses! I'd go broke! hehe
Compared to skiing and golfing, CDing is very cheap. Plus, the amount of pleasure one garment can give, is not a function of its cost. Some of my favorite things were very cheap. While some of my most expensive things were something of a let down.
Because I am totally lost in and consumed by the PINK FOG - I have spent a
small fortune on clothing, shoes, lingerie, make-up, wigs, eyeglasses, jewelry
and handbags for JoAnne - probably ten times what I have for my male self.
Why ? - It is an internal yearning for everything that I've had to miss
being a male. My feminine self wants it and I can't refuse.
JoAnne Wheeler
"I'm an all American Bluegrass Girl and Proud As I Can Be"
No need to rationalize - the thrift stores here in SE PA are still practically giving away nice women's clothing. I spend about $20 a week on clothing - handfuls of Ann Taylor, Talbots, Jones NY, etc, skirt suits and dresses find their way into my closets every week.
Right now I'm wearing a nice lined Jones NY silk jacket & dress (A personal favorite style) (sz 8) that I bought today with a Victoria's Secret All-in-one for $7.50!
All the Best,
Skirt Suit
I find it hard to justify what I spend on clothing so far, but I am really just starting to explore this side of me more than I ever have, so I am going to be careful and see where this goes...I've been dressing on and off since about14-15 yrs old, but never really bought anything of my own. I just recently decided to by what I want, instead of what I can 'borrow' or make, and I am incredibly impatient waiting for them to show up!
Suzanne
Well, I siphon about $50.00 off of every one of my paychecks just for mad money. I usually don't spend it all, and it's nice to sock away some bucks. But it also feeds my wardrobe on a somewhat regular basis.
Any money found in the laundry is MINE!
"This is no social crisis....this is me having fun!"
www.flickr.com/photos/tgmarla/
It is a Tg-CD, Thing, who does understand.
If it was a Government projects, it would cost more. Here in Detroit I could spend a bundle on Lions football tickets, but then I would need council, and anti depressant drugs.
Heck Gurls it is good, it is gratifing, it is fun. Hey where is Karren when we need her sage advise.
How could anybody pass up the "just right" pair of shoes and a girl has to keep up with fashion. I write it off as a hobby.