The Sliding Scale
A Tool for Economic Justice
Why a Sliding Scale?
My courses are offered at a sliding scale to allow for consideration of income disparity and participants in Global South economies. Although I charge set rates for individual coaching, I offer limited places in my courses and workshops at a lower fee for those who may be restricted by finances.
Discussing class and economic justice often feels like navigating a minefield, partly because many of us aren’t equipped with the tools to unpack these concepts. Schools, media, and society at large rarely provide the language or framework to delve into money, resources, or what class (and privilege) truly means. Yet, given South Africa’s history and its location within the Global South, it’s imperative that we go there.
Read this interesting paper on How we classify countries and people—and why it matters
Class doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s interwoven with race, gender, ability, privilege, sexuality, and the myriad identities we each carry. To grasp it fully, we must consider these intersections. A helpful starting point for such a conversation might be the idea of a sliding scale, which frames class not as a fixed category, but as a spectrum of access—to wealth, to opportunity, and to power.
Here is a general guideline about how I currently price my sliding scale for courses and to help you determine where you fall on it.
Where you fall on the sliding scale
Top of the Scale
Middle of the Scale
Bottom of the Scale
* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.
The highest cost
Reflects the true cost of the class or service. It is the cost that the I would charge all 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 worrying about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in our community. This price is for you.
The middle cost
(when there is one) reflects my 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
Represents an honest acknowledgment by me that there are folks whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of classes if there was not 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 probably belong here and you deserve a community that honours your price as equal an economic offering as the person who can pay the highest tier. Even when the lower tier is still prohibitive, I will work with folks to offer extended payment plans and other solutions.
Typically, there is a limited number of slots for products, services, and classes offered at the
middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the
lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are
limiting access to 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 coaches. Like
myself, you have families to support and rent to pay. Additionally, when I am paid fairly, I am
able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.
Recently, someone shared with me the idea of sacrifice versus hardship when examining
access. 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.
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. Folks coming from a space of hardship
typically qualify for the lower end of the sliding scale. I find the idea of sacrifice versus
hardship to be a very useful nuance when talking about class and access because it
recognizes and respects that paying for something might still be a challenge even if it is just a short-term one, while giving appropriate space for those who are dealing with financial hardship.
At the end of the day,
The sliding scale thrives on trust. Trust is a pretty amazing thing. I trust you to be honest in your assessment of your economic reality. Since the sliding scale is a tool of accountability, it is an ongoing conversation and I remain committed to helping folks figure out how to talk about their own economic experiences, since it has been such a
helpful language to learn on my own journey.
With thanks to Alexis J. Cunningfolk at Worts & Cunning for this sliding scale model:
