Just to make the point a bit clearer…
I teach laining to Bar Mitzvah boys. When people ask me my rate, I am *purposely* vague. The reason for it is that I really do it for the love of it, rather than the money. So, if they pay me, then great — I have some extra spending money; and if they don’t, that’s okay with me too.
But if I was truly counting on the money (which, it seems, the OP is), I’d be *very clear* up front what my fees are and when they are due. I wouldn’t just say “the going rate” and I wouldn’t be vague about at what point payment is due.
The Wolf