A Tool of Economic Justice

Class and economic justice are topics that many people struggle to talk about because most of us are not educated on the subject or, as a culture, are taught not to talk about money, access to resources, and what class is.  

Class cannot be understood as an isolated experience but is part of the complex interactions of race, gender, ability, privilege, sexuality, and the myriad of identities we all hold.  

If you are unfamiliar with class and why it matters, please visit classmatters.org to learn more.   

What Is The Sliding Scale?                          

A sliding scale is a tool that allows a business to offer a product or service to be obtained at typically three or more price points based on the purchaser's circumstances. Typically the scale will be based on a chart. In addition, the purchaser provides some form of income verification to determine where the purchaser falls on the scale.  

This method allows individuals who would most likely be priced out of something to have the chance to take part.  

What is the purpose & what does it represent? 

The purpose is to address the systemic inequalities of class in our culture. 

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 health and wellness services/care and other community services.  

Service providers and institutions usually offer the sliding scale because there is a commitment to serving individuals and/or communities that would otherwise not afford the services.  

In addition, these organizations often seek external funding to establish financial stability and fill in the sliding scale's economic gaps.  

I do not receive any outside funding to supplement sliding scale discounts for a small business like Fern Walk Health and Wellness.  

Because of this, I must strictly consider what I can offer and still support myself, my family and maintain my business.  

How Does It Work? 

It relies on truthfulness, respect for complexity, and accountability.  

Currently, I do not ask for income verification. I trust my clients, to be honest.  

Community thrives when accountability is a central value because trust grows and depth work can be done. Teachers, healers, holistic therapists deserve to get paid, and students deserve classes that recognize the multiple realities of economic access and privilege that exist. 

What is Sacrifice vs. Hardship? 

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 another spending in your life (such as going out to dinner, buying coffee, or buying a new outfit), but this will not have a long-term harmful impact on your life. 

It is a sacred sacrifice 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.  

Individuals coming from a space of hardship typically qualify for the lower end of the sliding scale. 

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 with financial hardship. 

Here are general guidelines about how I currently price my sliding scale and to help you determine where you fall on it. 

The highest dollar-cost $150.00 - $100

Reflects the actual price of my services. It is the cost that I charge all clients without 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. However, if you can pay for "wants" and spend little time worrying about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in the community. This price is for you. 

The middle dollar cost  $75.00 - $50.00

Acknowledges that paying the total cost would prevent some individuals from attending but who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either description for the highest price 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 can ask others for financial support, please consider using those personal resources before you use the help of the sliding scale and limit opportunities for others. 

The bottom dollar costs $50.00 - $35.00

The practitioner's honest acknowledgment that there are individuals whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of health services if there is no deliberate opportunity to access services at a cost that reflects 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 honours your price as equal an economical offering as the person who can pay the highest tier.  

You'll find a graph illustrated with three bottles in the photo to the right. 

Each bottle contains sentences that describe a person's current financial experience and class.  

For example, the bottle on the far left is full of beautiful green potions representing the upper end of the sliding scale spectrum. Therefore, those who identify most with the statements in the far left bottle qualify to pay at the upper end of the sliding scale.  

The middle bottle represents those who sometimes can pay for the upper end of the sliding scale, sometimes the middle, and sometimes the bottom half (depending on how many sliding scale options are available).  

The bottle on the far right represents the lowest end of the scale and folks who qualify to purchase from the bottom of the price spectrum.  

The sliding scale thrives on trust. 

Therefore, I trust you to be honest in assessing your economic reality.  

The sliding scale is an accountability tool, an essential language to learn on our wellness journey.  

At Fern Walk Health And Wellness 

There are limited slots for services offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. 

Be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the actual value, you are limiting access to those who genuinely need the gift of financial flexibility health and wellness services. 

You may also be pushing me into hardship.  

When engaging with the sliding scale, being honest with yourself and your financial situation grows solid and sustainable communities.  

It also respects the work of the practitioners, healers and creators, like myself, who has a family to support, my financial struggles and challenges, and my business I solely rely on to do this service for others.  

When paid to my actual value, I can invest more time and resources to support my community, family, and business.  

I advertise and offer the sliding scale for Nutritional Health and Wellness Coaching Sessions and Holistic Services, allowing for three access points under minimal and specific conditions like stated above. 

A written agreement will be prepared after discussing the requirements for coaching sessions.  

Additionally, I strive to provide numerous discount offerings on holistic services and products throughout the year. 

Please feel free to share this with individuals you think would be of service to, respected and appreciated.   

Again, I say this in multiple places. This is a nonjudgmental, safe, healing environment, 100% confidential. 

All are welcome. 

Anything you say here stays here with me. 

It is better to be truthful of sacrifices and hardships rather than suppress them, causing more stress, anxiety, and dis-ease. 

Lets work together and turn this around. 

All credit for this blog and my inspiration in economic & health justice.  

http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale 

and 

Ihotu Ali, MPH, Doc Std.

*The above can be terminated at any time and is subject to changes. I have the right to say no to this offer at any time to anyone. I have to protect my boundaries business and respect all my clients.*

*The sliding scale does not apply to large businesses, corporations, or industries. *