As my dear friend, LiZhen, shares, “The gift economy is one way we build collective wealth, by sharing our gifts freely with each other as a way to take care of each other and ensure our wellness…in the gift economy, transparency and honesty are the backbones of our relationship. ” In my practice, gifts can be given as monetary donations and can also include services or goods that I’ve listed below.

I lean on the economic justice work of Alexis J. Cunningfolk and Britt Hawthorne, which directly informs the scales below. Sliding-Scales are a tool for economic justice which acknowledges the different levels of financial privilege and access people may have in seeking resources.

I invite you to take inventory of your financial resources and look deeper into your levels of privilege/access or systemic barriers.

*If even solidarity rates are not accessible to you, I encourage you to message me directly to see if there are ways to help you access this work.

⊛ In 2023, I aim to resource $3,000 a month to keep my practice thriving. 

⊛ I spend 2- 4 hours preparing for coaching sessions, 1-1.5 hours for Resume & LinkedIn reviews, and 3-10+ hours for trainings, programs, and web and brand strategy, in addition to the allotted time for our check-ins.

⊛ Among my peers in this field and within the Washington DC area, the standard rate for a career consulting range from $150-400 USD / hour, depending on the complexity of the issues and your career level.  Resume & LinkedIn reviews can range from $100-250 per review & Professional Branding Websites can start at $1,000 USD.

⊛ I spend around $350/ yearly on website and design tools to upkeep my practice and $500-$2,000 for professional development trainings.

⊛ I currently do this work part-time, as my passion and joy-filled work. I also do this work as a solo Woman of Color and Immigrant business owner (for now!) 

To uplift LiZhen’s words, “Due to our capitalist  & scarcity-mindset training, most people are conditioned to look for a bargain. Whether consciously or not, most people give the lowest amount they can without feeling guilty. But the point of the gift economy [and sliding-scales] is to move away from scarcity and competition, and return ourselves to generosity and collective care.

Money is like water — it has a current and it must flow to stay alive. When money is held and hoarded, it rots like water and dies. Since we live in a classist, unjust, and inequitable world, we know not everyone has equal access to resources.

To keep the gift flowing, it is key for those who can to give more, so that those who have less can give less.”