SLIDING SCALE STRUCTURE
A sliding scale is a tool for building economic justice. For it to work, it requires your active participation.
When a sliding scale is implemented effectively, everyone pays a similar percentage of their income for the same products or services. The idea here is that a wide range of payment options across the scale promotes broader accessibility, while insuring fair compensation for the producer.
Sliding scales are often based on individual income levels with people of higher incomes paying more. That said, many factors complicate and affect our financial status. Some groups of people have costs that the larger population does not. Others have access to resources that are not always reflected in their lifestyle choices and income levels.
Most people pay me between $60 - $200 per 60 minute session. I have a limited number of slots available for a lower rate. If this is above your means, please let me know.
Please consider paying $100 or higher on the scale if you...
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Travel recreationallly
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Work part-time by choice
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Can afford to take time off
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Regularly eat out, buy new clothes, attend cultural events without worrying too much about your budget
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Own the home you live in
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Have investments, a retirement account, or inherited money
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Have access to family money and resources in times of need
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Have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education (or gender and racial privilege, or class background, etc). Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, please consider this as a choice.
Consider paying less than $100 on the scale if you...
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Are not always able to meet basic needs
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Rarely buy new items because you are unable to afford them
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Are supporting children or have other dependents
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Have been denied work because of an incarceration history
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Have faced employment discrimination
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Have immigration related expenses
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Are an elder with limited financial support
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Have medical expenses that are not covered by insurance
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Are an unpaid community organizer
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Make under $18,000/year (not because you are working part-time by choice)
The scale provided here is intended to be a map-- inviting each of us to take inventory of our financial resources and look deeper at our levels of privilege. My intent with this guide is to raise awareness of how capitalism and classism exist in society and work towards economic justice on a local level. While I ask you to take these factors into consideration, please don’t stress about it! Pay what feels right. I will not ask questions or quiz you on your payment choices.
(Sliding scale description adapted with permission from Cindy Crabb, Holly Poole-Kavana, and Alexis Cunningfolk)