3 ms·

I constantly run into situations where I spend money in ways that are financially non optimal, but socially good (in my mind). An easy to understand example is

I constantly run into situations where I spend money in ways that are financially non optimal, but socially good (in my mind). An easy to understand example is, I believe I should pay more in taxes and everyone as wealthy as I am should too. I rent an apartment, but I rent it out at the cost it takes to maintain it in good condition, because I think profiting off rent is unethical. This means I'm generally renting much much cheaper than local rents, and my tenants can therefore build savings.

WalterBright 4y ago
If you want to may more in taxes, the IRS accepts donations. There can also be good business reasons to charge below market rent. Having a lower vacancy rate, for one.
- subsuboptimal 4y ago
  No, I don't think you understand. I'm not charging below market rate, I'm charging at cost. Whatever it takes to maintain the building and provide utilities, etc. The space is worth, perhaps, $2400 a month. My last tenant paid $600 a month. She needed a place to stay for a year while she built up a down payment. Being able to stay with us meant she could save tens of thousands and she was able to embark on her own. Could I have charged $1000 and pocketed a little profit? Of course. But it would have come directly at her ability to succeed. I think that's deeply unethical. I think it's morally repugnant to profit from housing.
- subsuboptimal 4y ago
  The IRS does not, in fact, accept donations. But the point is that I believe we should all chip in more to help each other out. If you make, eg, $750k a year like I do an increase in taxes isn't really going to hurt your ability to live comfortably. I'm confident I could travel anywhere in the world, buy a second home, etc. I could still do those things if I payed more in taxes. Just... Not as often.

3 ms·

I constantly run into situations where I spend money in ways that are financially non optimal, but socially good (in my mind). An easy to understand example is

by subsuboptimal 4y ago

WalterBright 4y ago
If you want to may more in taxes, the IRS accepts donations. There can also be good business reasons to charge below market rent. Having a lower vacancy rate, for one.
- subsuboptimal 4y ago
  No, I don't think you understand. I'm not charging below market rate, I'm charging at cost. Whatever it takes to maintain the building and provide utilities, etc. The space is worth, perhaps, $2400 a month. My last tenant paid $600 a month. She needed a place to stay for a year while she built up a down payment. Being able to stay with us meant she could save tens of thousands and she was able to embark on her own. Could I have charged $1000 and pocketed a little profit? Of course. But it would have come directly at her ability to succeed. I think that's deeply unethical. I think it's morally repugnant to profit from housing.
- subsuboptimal 4y ago
  The IRS does not, in fact, accept donations. But the point is that I believe we should all chip in more to help each other out. If you make, eg, $750k a year like I do an increase in taxes isn't really going to hurt your ability to live comfortably. I'm confident I could travel anywhere in the world, buy a second home, etc. I could still do those things if I payed more in taxes. Just... Not as often.