discretionary spending

== English == === Noun === discretionary spending (usually uncountable, plural discretionary spendings) (economics) The amount or portion of a person's or group's expenditures which is used for non-essential or voluntary disbursements; the amount or portion of one's expenditures which one may make as one sees fit. The action of making such expenditures. (US, government finances) US government expenditures which are subject to annual review and authorization by Congress, as distinct from expenditures authorized by existing laws. 1992, Bill Turque AND Ginny Carroll, "Ross Perot's New Tease," Newsweek, 31 Aug.: Perot would cut federal discretionary spending by 15 percent, chopping items that range from the space station to the Rural Electrification Administration. ==== Antonyms ==== nondiscretionary spending === See also === disposable income