Sliding Scale Guide

Below are some prompts to support decision making around how much to pay along my sliding scale. I understand that some may identify with things on more than one of these tiers, & that these lists are by no means exhaustive. Ultimately, I trust you to pick a tier and a dollar amount within it that is right for you. Whatever that is, I receive it with gratitude and deep faith in the currency of life & community.

Many thanks to Alexis J. Cunningfolk, Eris Johnson, & Elana June Margolis for this blended adaptation of their respective sliding scale models.

Tier 1

  • I typically struggle to meet my basic needs

  • I rent lower end properties or have unstable housing

  • I don’t have access to reliable transportation, or often have to choose between gas & other basic needs

  • I am not employed, or underemployed, making well under a living wage

  • I have limited to no access to healthcare that I need; I may qualify for government assistance

  • I have no financial savings and no sense of financial security

  • I rarely or never buy things new. I often go without items that I need because I cannot afford them

  • I am unable to afford vacation or time off

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

Tier 2

  • I am inconsistently able to meet my basic needs

  • I rent a poorly maintained home for unreasonably high rent

  • I own or have access to a somewhat reliable vehicle; I have transportation-related stress at times

  • I am underemployed &/or earn less than a living wage

  • I have limited access to healthcare that I need

  • I have no savings or just enough to to put a dent in emergency costs that may arise; I may feel some stress around financial security

  • I can sometimes buy items new, but often thrift when I need something

  • I feel the financial burden when I take vacation, but sometimes I take the time off anyway

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from paying for non-essentials

Tier 3

  • I regularly meet my basic needs, even if it can be stressful

  • I live in a well maintained, modest home at a rate I can afford

  • I own or lease a car I can afford to maintain

  • I am employed and earn a living wage

  • I have some access to healthcare that I need

  • I have modest savings; I feel relative financial security

  • I can usually afford items new if that is my choice

  • I am able to take a vacation once every year or two without financial burden

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit me from meeting my basic needs

  • I may come from inter-generational wealth but don’t necessarily have access to it

Tier 4

  • I am comfortably able to meet my basic needs

  • I own my home or rent a higher end property

  • I own a car I can afford to maintain; my household may have more than one vehicle

  • I am employed or don’t need to work in order to meet my needs. I make well over a living wage or salary

  • I have regular access to the healthcare that I need

  • I have financial savings that significantly contribute to my sense of financial security (or if I feel a sense of financial insecurity, I am able to acknowledge it does not stem from my material reality)

  • I always have the option of buying items new

  • I am able to take one or more annual vacation without financial burden

  • I do not have debt

  • I have investments, retirement accounts, &/or inherited wealth

Additional considerations

Please consider paying less on the sliding scale if you:

  • are descended from enslaved peoples &/or people indigenous to Turtle Island 

  • are disabled &/or chronically ill & have medical expenses not covered by insurance

  • have immigration-related expenses or are a refugee

  • are supporting children or other dependents

  • have been denied work due to incarceration history

  • are an elder with limited financial support

  • are an unpaid community organizer

  • experience discrimination in hiring or pay level

  • experience marginalization & disenfranchisement in predominantly white spaces

    Please consider paying more on the sliding scale if you:

  • have access to family money and resources in times of need

  • work part time or are unemployed by choice

  • have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education and/or privileges rooted in race, gender, class, ability, etc.