[subsuboptimal]

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]

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]

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]

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.