what is a sliding scale?

A sliding scale pricing structure allows people with fewer resources to pay less to access the same services.

why are financial services so expensive?

It’s complicated.

On one hand, we know that capitalism wants to limit access to financial support and literacy. On the other hand, financial service providers like myself 100% deserve to get paid a living wage.

The high price of financial services has to do with how professionals are paid:

  • Some corporations give their employees a financial planning benefit. For example, if a financial planner’s hourly rate is $200 per hour, the corporation might pay $120 and the employee is responsible for the remaining $80. Employer-subsidized financial services limit access to people with corporate jobs.

  • Some financial professionals are paid a percentage of assets under management, for example, 1-2%. This type of pay structure incentivizes financial professionals to work with clients who already have wealth, helping the rich get richer. For example, 1% of a client’s $100,000 assets is only $1,000. It wouldn’t make sense for them to take that client on when they could help someone with $1 million in assets and earn $10,000.

WHY ARE YOU OFFERING A SLIDING SCALE?

I recognize that people who need financial services the most often cannot afford financial services. I offer a sliding scale to help those who are traditionally underserved by financial profesisonals.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY?

There are three pricing tiers available:

  • Tier 1: $75/hour

  • Tier 2: $100/hour

  • Tier 3: $150/hour (full price)

Below, I wrote a detailed description of who each pricing tier is designed for.

If you need to access tiers 1 and 2, please fill out this form.

I will never ask you to “prove” why you need to pay a lower price.

One of my long-term goals is to provide services at a very low cost ($25-$40/hour) through grants and angel investments. I may use your responses for fundraising purposes. All responses will be recorded anonymously.

The following sliding scale guidelines below were written by herbalist Alexis J. Cunningfolk. Please read them carefully before requesting sliding scale pricing.

tier 3 (FULL PRICE): $150/HOUR

This tier is for you if one or more of the following sentences apply:

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit 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 and do not need to work to meet my needs

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have access to financial savings

  • I have an expendable** income

  • I can always buy new items

  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

Your financial goals might include:

  • Reducing your cost of living so you can become financially independent from parents who do not affirm your gender or sexuality

  • Budgeting for reparations and mutual aid

  • Spending and investing money in alignment with your values

Book an appointment here.

tier 2: $100/hour

This tier is for you if one or more of the following sentences apply:

  • 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 healthcare

  • I might have access to financial savings

  • I have some expendable** income

  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

Your financial goals might include:

  • Increase your retirement contributions so you can stop working before the age of 65, or pursue purpose-driven work instead of a corporate job

  • Start saving for a home or a family

  • Build at least 3-6 months of emergency savings

  • Get out of credit card debt

*BASIC NEEDS = food, housing, 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

To access this price, please fill out this form.

tier 3: $75/hour

This tier is for you if one or more of the following sentences apply:

  • I frequently stress about meeting basic* needs & don’t always achieve them

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & healthcare

  • I have no access to savings

  • I have no or very limited expendable** income

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

Your financial goals might include:

  • Building at least 1 month of emergency savings

  • Getting out of credit card debt

  • Picking the best student loan payment plan

  • Finding a higher-paying job to support your family

*BASIC NEEDS = food, housing, 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

To access this price, please fill out this form.