You have an extra $200: Which is a more ethical use?

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

This is something that I'd like to see debated with some of the extremism the exists here.

Throwing personal saving/investment (and consuming from a large company for that intent) out the window, is one of the above more ethical in your opinion?

[ElectionsGuy]

I think that both are pretty ethical. Either way, you're helping someone survive and live. That's the great thing about free enterprise people never seem to get. They think its all about selfishness, but its really everybody's self-interest to where their money goes. No matter how people spend their money, they're contributing to someone.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Ethics are morals for those who are too gutless to have them.

[Ban my account ffs!]

The first one obviously...we're talking about extra money here.

[RFayette]

#1

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Option 3 (normal). Use it according to your values.

[OSR stands with Israel]

None are unethical so #3

[Antonio the Sixth]

If you seriously think you're doing as much good with #2 as you are with #1, you're utterly deluded.

[afleitch]

How did I get this extra money? If it's a pay rise then I treat it as earnings. If it's a gift I spend it in the manner the giftee would like me too. If I found it I'd spend it on someone else.

[Goldwater]

Neither are unethical.

[Foucaulf]

I'm surprised that no one has argued option 2 is the more ethical use, so here's a variant spurring that:

Let's say, for option 1, you will donate to someone who isn't near death but needs help to get his life on track. For option 2, you will donate to a local business which is piling up debts and is on the verge of shutting down, but whose owner can survive off his savings for a few months if that happens. What now?

[The Other Castro]

Invest the money, double it, keep $200 for spending and give $200 to charity.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Invest the money, double it, keep $200 for spending and give $200 to charity.

In that case...

Buy lottery tickets.  Win.  Give $200 to charity.  Spend the rest on a lavish new yacht from the local yacht dealer. 

[SATW]

I would try to increase the money I have and then give a decent bit to charity, while using most of it on my own causes.

[Mr. Smith]

#1

[Mercenary]

Both are ethical. But the first is the kinder act. The person who needs the money will turn around and use it on a business anyway. And better yet you could purchase something someone needs from a local business and give that to them instead of cash.

For example, someone needs food? Purchase some from a local farm and donate it.