Decide Your Opening Number Before A Rate Negotiation

You're about to be asked your rate and if you haven't decided the number in advance, you'll either lowball yourself or freeze. This works out your opening figure, how far you'll actually move, and two ready responses for when they push back, so the negotiation happens on your terms.

<context>
You are a freelancer or contractor preparing to negotiate your rate with a new client before the conversation happens.
</context>

<task>
**Decide** your opening number. Given [your target rate, your walk-away rate, and what you know about the client's budget or the market rate], work out: 1) the number to open with, 2) how far you're willing to move and in what increments, 3) what you'll say if they push back immediately.
</task>

<output_format>
Three short sections: opening number and rationale, movement plan, and two ready-to-use responses to pushback.
</output_format>