Simpedia

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

One thing I’ve done is barter services for partial or complete tuition. Personally I think it’s best if the family has at least some kind of investment in what you are providing. Some things I have received as barter:

• Weekly cleaning
• Photography/videography
• Help with planning and organizing events
• Handyman services
• Tutoring/classes for my kids (we home school)

The sky’s the limit if you use bartering as an option. Even if it’s just a small service that doesn’t even come close to the value of monthly tuition, it’s a good lesson for kids to have (or at the very least, see) a willingness to sacrifice a little in order to gain something of value.

Terah W., Missouri

My experience has been that those who don’t have to pay anything simply do Not put the same value on things as those who do. I have family that I teach for free and for barter of sorts and even though it seems to be working fairly well, I know the extended family well enough to know that if they were laying down cold hard cash, they’d be pushing their kids more and ranking the priority of lessons, music and practicing much higher. (I’ve even heard if you trying to get rid of puppies or kittens, you fare better pricing them for $5.00 each than giving them away free. Folks just won’t take the free ones as quickly.)

That being said, of course, there are always exceptions. Perhaps a barter where a certain service or quality product is exchanged for services on a weekly basis as are lessons, you stand to get the best of everything on both sides.

I think I would be more inclined to make a “special deal” between myself and said student/parent of a real break on the tuition for a pre-determined period of time. Even a little money paid by those in dire circumstances provides that person with a certain dignity that says, “you are still a viable part of this or that community” and not being viewed as charity. I know far more about this than I would like to, trust me.

Unless there are more reasons they are not sharing as to why they are discontinuing, I think I might at least try this approach. Just my .02. Hope it helps!  I wish both you and them well!

Cheri S., Utah

This has happened to me a few times too. It seems like parents don’t generally expect or even want free lessons. Barters are a win-win.

Here’s what I’ve done. I tell them I totally understand, and I’m very happy to work with families who are really committed to Simply Music. I mention that I’ve done barters with other parents. We discuss how much they can afford to pay, and what barter service(s) they could offer in exchange for the rest. We agree on a fair market value for the services, and I write up a contract detailing the arrangement. I record tuition due and “paid” on a shared google spreadsheet, and treat it exactly the same as regular tuition, with the same expectation for prompt “payment.”

One of the most helpful barters for me is family dinners, because lessons often end about the time my family is ready to eat, and I’m rarely organized enough to make dinner ahead. I’ve also bartered for handyman services and home remodeling, healing and spa treatments, and haircuts.

Karen S., California

I have 3 sisters taking lessons (2 piano & 1 guitar) and the mom is going through a divorce. She so wants her girls to continue lessons. I suggested having lessons every other week to help her through this time. (Husband is an abuser and has tried to commit suicide – twice so there is no help from him or grandparents).

I have stretched out the piano lessons since they both come together and that seems to be helping.  Certainly not ideal but the best we can do at this time. I barter for another lesson but with this mom, having 4 small kiddos, she has no time to give after work and being with kiddos. Interested in other barter ideas that I might be able to suggest to mom. I barter with my hairdresser and it is great!

Shanta H., Minnesota

I have had occasional students who I don’t charge for a few months – say if there is a sudden job loss or something. But long term, I don’t normally scholarship less than 50%. One of the advantages of having higher rates in general is that it gives you some leeway to be flexible for highly committed families in need without breaking the bank.

Do be careful about bartering – if the parent is used to deducting the cost of music lessons from taxes, they will have to stop if they’re bartering. I had a family in this situation once and the IRS took them to the cleaners. Not good.

Maureen K., California

Shanta, I’m not sure what US tax law they found that allows writing off piano lessons? I don’t think there is one, and I’m guessing that is at least partially why they were taken to the cleaners.