Why do I choose to offer a Sliding Scale?
A sliding scale is a tool that allows me to offer my work to a wide range of economic groups while earning enough myself to support myself and my family.
The goal of a sliding scale is to build economic justice. It requires full participation and thoughtful consideration in order to function.
If implemented successfully, then everyone pays a similar percentage of their income for the same service.
I’ve tried to structure my sliding scale so that the upper tiers of the scale subsidise the lower tiers, with the what I consider to be a fair price falling in the middle of the suggested range.
It is also possible to pay more than the maximum and less than the minimum suggested range.
Please bear in mind the amount of time, beyond simply teaching, that I spend organising workshops and preparing recordings. This web site for example was designed and is maintained by me!
My hope is that paying according to one’s resources will help create a more equitable, diverse and sustainable community around my work.
How To Decide How Much To Pay?
A sliding scale requires honest and thoughtful consideration of the complexities of income, wealth, class, race, and other forms of inequity that affect an individual’s ability to pay. I’m not asking for income verification for sliding scale payments. I trust that participants will choose a sliding scale amount that reflects what they are able to pay, and also reflects their desire to support others.
I ask that you consider the following guidelines to help you navigate the question of how much to pay:
Consider paying less on the scale if you…
- are supporting children or have other dependents
- have significant debt
- have significant medical expenses not covered by insurance
- have educational expenses
- receive public assistance
- have immigration-related expenses
- are a senior citizen with a fixed income
Consider paying more on the scale if you…
- own the home you live in
- have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
- travel recreationally
- have access to family resources in times of need
- work part time by choice
- have a relatively high degree of earning power due to your level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.) – if you are not currently exercising your earning power, please recognise this as as choice.
- are in a position to subsidise the participation of others
Considering Sacrifice vs. Hardship
Please also consider the idea of “sacrifice” versus “hardship” when choosing how much to pay.
Sacrifice:
If paying for a class, product, or service would be difficult, but not detrimental, it qualifies as a sacrifice. You might have to cut back on other spending in your life (such as going out to dinner, buying coffee, or a new outfit), but this will not have a long term harmful impact on your life. It is a sacred sacrifice in order to pursue something you are called to do.
Hardship:
If, however, paying for a class, product, or service would lead to a harmful impact on your life, such as not being able to put food on the table, pay rent, or pay for your transportation to get to work, then you are dealing with hardship. People coming from a space of hardship typically qualify for the lower end of the sliding scale.
Please note: This was adapted from guidance I found on the Tamera website which in turn took inspiration from Hammerstone School and Ride Free Fearless Money sliding scale models and articles.