discretionary spending
Noun
Meaning
(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.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgAntonyms
Examples
Discretionary spending by consumers appears to have collapsed in recent days.
Discretionary spending, which includes such basic services as early childhood education programs and environmental protection provisions, were cut.