How to Place Yourself on Sliding Scale

Some Guidelines on the Use of Sliding Scale and How to Determine Where You Land on the Scale

The highest dollar cost reflects the true cost of the class or service. It is the cost that the practitioner would charge all participants/students in the absence of a sliding scale. If you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, you would not traditionally qualify for sliding scale services. If you are able to pay for “wants” and spend little time worried about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in our community. This price is for you.
The middle cost on the scale reflects the practitioner’s acknowledgement that paying the full cost would prevent some folks from being able to attend, but who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either descriptions for the highest cost or the lowest.  If you are struggling to conquer debt or build savings or move away from paycheck to paycheck living but have access to steady income and are not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, child care, etc., you belong here. If you, however, can ask others for financial support, such as family members, partners, or friends, please consider using those personal resources before you use the resources of the sliding scale and limit opportunities for others.
The bottom cost on the scale represents an honest acknowledgment by the teacher or facilitator that there are folks whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of classes if there was not be a deliberate opportunity made for them to access services at a cost that is reflective of their economic realities. If you struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, child care, and are living paycheck to paycheck or are in significant debt, you belong probably belong here and you deserve a community that honors your price as equal an economic offering as the person who can pay the highest tier.

Typically, there are a limited amount slots for products, services, and classes offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you choose to pay at the lowest (or lower) end of the scale when you could truthfully afford to pay more, you are limiting access for those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility.

Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities. It also respects the work of teachers and creators, who have families to support and rent to pay. Additionally, when teachers and facilitators are paid fairly for their time and labor, we are able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.

For a graphic that explains sliding scale and how to place yourself on a sliding scale very clearly and in more detail, see here. In the image, each bottle contains sentences that describe a person’s current financial experience and class. The bottle on the far left is full of beautiful green potion representing the upper end of the sliding-scale spectrum. Folks who identify most with the statements in the far left bottle qualify to pay prices at the upper end of the sliding scale. The middle bottle represents folks who can afford to pay closer to the middle of the sliding scale. The bottle on the far right represents the lowest end of the scale and folks who qualify to pay at the lower end of the sliding-scale options.

More about the concept and practice of sliding scale and justice pricing here.

Back to main retreat page here.

**Huge gratitude and thanks to Alexis J. Cunningfolk for a great deal of nuanced and loving thinking and language around sliding scale, the entirety of which can be read here.