discretionary spending
noun [U]Definition
› ECONOMICS, FINANCE money spent by consumers on things other than necessary things such as food, clothes, and fuel: Soaring fuel prices have hit discretionary spending, which could weaken the economy.
› ACCOUNTING money spent by a company on things such as advertising or development of new products, that can be reduced temporarily without affecting business: The company said it plans cuts in discretionary spending and will closely manage other operating expenses to further control costs.
(Definition of discretionary spending noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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