SLIDING SCALE GUIDE

• I am rarely able to meet my basic material needs

• I rent lower end properties or have unstable housing

• I do not have access to reliable transportation, or cannot afford fuel without prohibiting my ability to meet basic needs

• I am not employed, or underemployed AND 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 something new. I often go without items that I need because they are unaffordable to me.

• I am unable to afford vacation or time off

• I am inconsistently able to meet my basic material 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 and/or earning 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 regularly meet my basic material 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 well maintained vehicle

• I am employed and earn a living wage

• I have some access to healthcare that I need

• I have modest savings for recreation, or in case of emergency; I feel relative financial security

• I am usually able to buy items new

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

• I am comfortably able to meet my basic needs

• I own my home or rent a higher end property

• I own or lease a car; my household has more than one vehicle

• I am employed or don’t need to work in order to meet my needs; salaried, or hourly rate well over living wage

• I have regular access to the healthcare that I need

• I have financial savings that significantly contribute to my sense of financial security

• I always have the option of buying items new

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

The foundation of this model was developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk at Worts & Cunning Apothecary