To increase this clients charge ?

[Boomboomi]

I have a very awkward situation . I am a cleaner and I took on a lady a year ago who had a difficult situation.
I also look after her cat when I am when she is away and there is an agreement that I care for the cat as she knows me

At the time for my own reasons and her then limited financial situation - single parent , I agreed to work for her add hoc for way below my charge.

We have become friendly.

With the cost of living and I said that I would need to nominally put my price sessions up , but that they would still remain below the going rate , v significantly

This appeared to have caused upset on a personal level for which I am sorry
She has said things like ‘ I thought we were friends, and that she struggles with money Although I know that she works hard she does not have what I would see as a frugal lifestyle as she does go out for meals , has nails done regularly, etc.

I think that I have ‘ offended’ her and she has indicated that I am less of a friend but being transactional.

I absolutely see that lines between business and friendship have been blurred .I have tried to say that my need to increase the charge slightly in no way means that I care less for her or her pet - the latter being the crux of the matter as I have agreed to care for him in her will .

was i bu? And any advice?
My plan is to keep repeating that I genuinely care for her pet but also need to earn .
( Every session I do means that i get paid less than my normal wage - this will continue with the increase- but I would just earn a little more to make it more manageable).

She’s taking the piss out of you.

And as @Steeleydan said, and after reading and digesting this thread, are you sure you are still happy to work for £15?

She’s taking advantage of you. She has the money she just doesn’t want to give it to you. She is manipulating you.

Stop working for her unless she is paying your higher amount. If you got sick or couldn’t work for her she would never speak to you again. Because you aren’t friends and she’s a user.

Honestly, I wouldn't want her as a client or a friend. This arrangement is ridiculously one-sided and you are bending over backwards to please her while she just absolutely takes the piss.

She can obviously afford to pay at the rates you charge your other clients but is manipulating you and pleading poverty. You are losing money here when you could take on another client who will pay you properly.

You have loads of friends who treat you properly so please ditch this freeloading 'friend'.

I’ve had to raise prices over several years and never ever have been spoken treated like that.
her behaviour has been beyond disgraceful and if had a smidgeon from anyone I’d have automatically given my notice.
Such blatant disrespect, she has clearly shown you what she thinks of you, you can’t salvage any form of friendship.

She is the one being transactional over your friendship.