"The sliding scale represents the idea that financial resources, including income, are not and should not be the only determining factor in whether or not someone can access services/care/etc."
"The sliding scale is a tool that allows for a product or service to be obtained at multiple price points based on the circumstances of the purchaser."
In short, you can enlist some of my services for various prices. You choose the price which works for you. When engaging with sliding scale practices, being honest with yourself and your financial situation grows solid and sustainable communities. It also respects the work of instructors and consultants like myself, who have families to support and bills to pay. Additionally, I can invest more time and resources in free and lower-cost offerings when I am paid fairly. For a sliding scale to work, it relies on truthfulness, respect for complexity, and accountability. I never ask for income verification. I trust my clients, to be honest. Trainers & Behaviourists deserve to get paid, and clients deserve services that recognise the multiple realities of economic access and privilege. I will be rolling out this initiative across a variety of my services.
"The sliding scale represents the idea that financial resources, including income, are not and should not be the only determining factor in whether or not someone can access services/care/etc."
How does your Pink Bottle Pricing Scale Work?
Recently, I read Alexis's 2015 blog on the idea of sacrifice versus hardship when examining access. She suggests that when paying for a service would be difficult but not detrimental; it qualifies as a sacrifice. You might have to reduce another area of spending (such as going out to dinner, buying coffee, or new clothes), but this will not have a long-term harmful impact on your life. If, however, paying for a service would harm your life, such as being unable to put food on the table, pay rent, or pay for your transportation to get to work, you are dealing with hardship. People coming from hardship typically qualify for the lower end of the sliding scale. The idea of sacrifice versus hardship is a very useful nuance when talking about access because it recognises 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.
For each of the pricing options, we also have spread the cost options so that you can pay what you feel comfortable with over a longer period. Please message me if you can't see 'spread the cost' on the service you are booking, and I will send the link.
True Price
I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs
I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit the attainment of basic needs
I own my home or property, OR I rent a higher-end property
I own or lease a car
I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs
I have access to private healthcare
I have access to financial savings
I have an expendable** income
I can always buy new items
I can afford an annual holiday or take time off
Middle Price
I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them
I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit the attainment of basic needs
I own or lease a car
I am employed
I have access to some private healthcare
I might have access to financial savings
I have some expendable income
I can buy some new items & I thrift others
I can take a holiday annually or every few years without a financial burden
Bottom Price
I stress about meeting basic needs & don’t consistently meet them
I have debt & it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs
I rent lower-end properties / have unstable housing
I do not have a car/or have access to a car but can not always afford fuel
I qualify for government assistance, i.e universal credit
I have no access to savings
I have no/very little expendable income
I rarely buy new items, I am unable to afford them
I cannot take time off for a holiday without a financial burden
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