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Sliding Scale Information for D/s Playground Summer Semester 2022

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I know that community, feedback, and support for your D/s relationships can be transformational, and I feel strongly that these things should be accessible to everyone who wants them. I strive to make it so that money is not a barrier to participating in my group classes or private lessons. For this reason, I reserve some sliding scale spots for working class students in all of my classes.

I believe that teachers and artists deserve to make a living wage. For this reason, the number of sliding scale spots I am able to offer is limited. Please be mindful that if you sign up for a sliding scale spot when you can truthfully afford the standard rate, either on your own or with help from family or friends, you are limiting access for others.

Here’s how my sliding scale works:

The scale has three tiers. You choose where you fall, and what you pay within that range. I don’t require any explanation. Select your cost according to an honest assessment of your class background, current financial situation, and what you’re able to pay.

(Thanks to Eli Conley for giving me permission to use some of his sliding scale language.)

This image and framework was originally created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk | www.wortsandcunning.com
with additions from Britt Hawthorne | www.embracingequity.org

The full bottle lists the following statements:

  • 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 or 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.

The half-filled bottle lists the following statements:

  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them.
  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs.
  • I own or lease a car.
  • I am employed.
  • I have access to health care.
  • 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.

The low-filled bottle lists the following statements:

  • 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 & health care.
  • 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.

*Basic Needs include food, housing, 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.

I hope this list helps you figure out which tier of financial aid and sliding scale that you’ll request.

Here’s the corresponding rates for each of the tiers:

Even with the sliding scale, some of you might not be able to afford the cost of this course.

There are partial scholarships (50%) available for BIPOC and trans folks; click here for more information.

If you still cannot afford it, and are eager to take the class, contact Sinclair at sinclair@sugarbutch.net and ask about payment plans.