Birthworker Sliding Scale & Discount Calculator

You want your care to be accessible by offering sliding scales or discounts. You need other ways for families to work with you when affordability is an issue.

But, you need a solid way to actually offer lower fees without going in a financial hole. Doulas have been left to figure out sliding scales and discounts on their own, no method, no numbers, just a desire to help by lowering pricing barriers to entry. However, when you lower your rate or offer a discount without a way to see what it actually costs you, generosity can quietly turn into working for less than it costs you.

What this calculator does

Enter your full fee and answer a few quick questions about your costs. From there, it shows you what's actually left after costs at every price you offer, from your full fee down through your reduced rates and any discounts you choose to give.

You set the rates. You decide the discounts. The tool shows you the math underneath.

Inside you'll find:

• A Sliding Scale tab where you enter your full fee, then set two reduced rates as a simple percent off. What families pay and what's left after costs fills in automatically.
• A Discounts tab for offering price cuts you choose, for demographic groups, referral relationships, military families, returning clients, or anywhere else you want to extend care.
• A Decision Helper log where you check the criteria present for each family who inquires about your sliding scale, so nothing gets missed and you can see your own patterns over time. The rate you choose stays entirely yours.
• A Tiered Offerings tab for sketching other ways to work with you, full support, a single session or class, a virtual option, at their own honest starting prices.
• A filled-in Example tab so you can see how it all flows before you enter your own numbers.

Who this is for

Doulas offering, or thinking about offering, a sliding scale or discounts. Whether you're just starting to structure your rates or you've been sliding your scale for a while without knowing what it actually leaves you, this tool puts your numbers in front of you so you can decide with clear eyes.

Who this isn't for

This isn't a pricing tool. It doesn't set your full fee, calculate your taxes, or plan your year. It shows you what's left after costs on prices you set. If you're still figuring out your full fee, The Birthworker Pricing & Income Calculator can help you with that.

Format: Google Sheets and Excel compatible. (Not fully compatible with Apple Numbers)