diff --git a/getting-started.md b/getting-started.md
index f0d316c..cb73a42 100644
--- a/getting-started.md
+++ b/getting-started.md
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ using the chat, and getting involved in governance.
 
 ## 1. Become a member
 
-Membership is a **sliding-scale contribution of $10–20/month** through Open
-Collective. What you pay is up to you.
+Membership is a **sliding-scale contribution starting at $5/month** through
+Open Collective (the suggested level is $15 — pay what fits your
+circumstances).
 
 1. Go to [opencollective.com/inference-cooperative](https://opencollective.com/inference-cooperative).
-2. Choose a contribution amount in the $10–20 range and subscribe.
+2. Choose a contribution amount ($5 minimum) and subscribe.
 3. After you contribute, you'll land on a "check your inbox" page.
 
 **Within a few minutes, you'll get a welcome email** with a link to set up your
@@ -95,8 +96,9 @@ and the "Contributing" section for how to propose changes through
 
 ## Your allowance and credits
 
-Membership includes **$15 of usage credit each month**, shared between chat and
-API. It's a starting value, not a hard rule:
+Membership includes **$15 of usage credit each month** (same for every member,
+regardless of what you pay), shared between chat and API. It's a starting
+value, not a hard rule:
 
 - The allowance resets each month on your personal billing date (the day your
   membership payment recurs) — not on a fixed calendar day.
diff --git a/open-questions.md b/open-questions.md
index ba54281..7a63639 100644
--- a/open-questions.md
+++ b/open-questions.md
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Currently chat history is stored on co-op servers. We could potentially switch t
 
 ### How should pricing account for unequal usage?
 
-Members currently pay a flat $15/month for a $15/month credit budget. But usage is unequal — some members use far more tokens than others.
+Members currently pay dues on a sliding scale (from $5/month) with a flat $15/month credit budget. But usage is unequal — some members use far more tokens than others.
 
 - **Flat (current):** simple, predictable, but heavy users subsidize light users (or vice versa).
 - **Usage-based:** pay for what you use, but unpredictable and may discourage experimentation.
diff --git a/terms-of-service.md b/terms-of-service.md
index 4a4e3cd..acf1e7b 100644
--- a/terms-of-service.md
+++ b/terms-of-service.md
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ When you join, you become a **member** — someone with a voice in how the proje
 
 ## 2. Membership
 
-- Membership is through **Open Collective**, where you pay dues on a sliding scale.
+- Membership is through **Open Collective**, where you pay dues on a sliding
+  scale (currently $5/month minimum).
 - You must be **18 or older** to join.
 - Membership is governed by our [Charter](charter.md), including our Code of Conduct.
 - We may suspend or remove membership for Code of Conduct violations or non-payment, as described in the Charter.