Here's the thing, a client who doesn't intend to pay won't care about the discount, and discounting rates is a tell that the client doesn't need to pay you your full rates regardless. The problem isn't affordable rates, it's non-payment. In my experience, lower rates tend to correlate with non-payment because it allows the rationalization "He didn't expect to be paid everything he asked for anyway."
Not discounting and retainers as standard terms of service are filters for bad clients.
Not discounting and retainers as standard terms of service are filters for bad clients.