Definition of Disposable and Discretionary Income
Disposable income is the amount of money that is left over after paying all of one’s necessary expenses, such as taxes and bills. Discretionary income, on the other hand, is the amount of money that is left over after paying for all necessary expenses and saving a portion for future expenses or investments.
Understanding the difference between disposable and discretionary income is important for managing one’s finances and making informed decisions about spending and saving. It can also help in setting financial goals and creating a budget.
Disposable Income
Definition and explanation: Disposable income is the amount of money that is left over after paying all necessary expenses, such as taxes and bills. This includes things like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs.
Calculation of disposable income: Disposable income can be calculated by taking one’s total income (such as salary or wages) and subtracting all necessary expenses. For example, if someone earns $50,000 a year and has $20,000 in necessary expenses, their disposable income would be $30,000.
Examples of disposable income usage: Disposable income can be used for a variety of things, such as saving for future expenses or investments, paying off debt, or spending on non-essential items such as entertainment or luxury goods.
Note: Disposable income can also be referred as “take-home pay” as it’s the amount of money that you take home after all the deductions like taxes, insurance, pension etc.
Discretionary Income
Definition and explanation: Discretionary income is the amount of money that is left over after paying for all necessary expenses and saving a portion for future expenses or investments. This means that discretionary income is a subset of disposable income, as it takes into account not only necessary expenses but also savings and investments.
Calculation of discretionary income: Discretionary income can be calculated by taking one’s disposable income and subtracting a set amount that has been allocated for savings and investments. For example, if someone has $30,000 in disposable income and sets aside $10,000 for savings and investments, their discretionary income would be $20,000.
Examples of discretionary income usage: Discretionary income can be used for a variety of things, such as spending on luxury goods or experiences, travel, or investing in hobbies or hobbies. It can also be used for further investment to grow your wealth.
It’s important to note that discretionary income is highly variable across individuals as it depends on the amount of savings and investments each person is comfortable making.
Differences between Disposable and Discretionary Income
Explanation of the key differences: The main difference between disposable and discretionary income is that disposable income only takes into account necessary expenses, while discretionary income takes into account both necessary expenses and savings and investments. This means that discretionary income is always less than disposable income.
How disposable and discretionary income affect personal finance: Disposable income is important for understanding one’s overall financial situation and making decisions about spending and saving. Discretionary income, on the other hand, is important for understanding how much money is available for non-essential spending and for making decisions about luxury purchases or investments.
Impact of disposable and discretionary income on budgeting: When creating a budget, it’s important to take into account both disposable and discretionary income. Budgeting for necessary expenses using disposable income can help in managing finances effectively, while budgeting for discretionary spending using discretionary income can help in making informed decisions about luxury purchases or investments.
Disposable income is the money you have left after paying all necessary expenses, while discretionary income is the money you have left after paying all necessary expenses and saving a portion for future expenses or investments. Understanding the difference between the two can help you in making better financial decisions and budgeting effectively.
Conclusion
Disposable income is the money left over after paying all necessary expenses, while discretionary income is the money left over after paying all necessary expenses and saving a portion for future expenses or investments. Understanding the difference between the two is important for managing one’s finances and making informed decisions about spending and saving.
Understanding and managing both disposable and discretionary income can help one make better financial decisions and budget effectively. It also can help in setting financial goals and creating a budget. By tracking and managing both disposable and discretionary income, individuals can make sure they are making the most of their money and achieving their financial goals.
References Link
- Investopedia – Disposable Income: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disposableincome.asp
- Investopedia – Discretionary Income: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/discretionaryincome.asp
- The Balance – Disposable Income vs. Discretionary Income: What’s the Difference? https://www.thebalance.com/disposable-income-vs-discretionary-income-4174627
- IRS – Topic No. 202: Taxable and Nontaxable Income: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc202
- Census Bureau – Measuring Income: https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/income/guidance/measuring-income.html
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Expenditures: https://www.bls.gov/cex/
- Statista – Disposable income per capita in the United States: https://www.statista.com/statistics/203366/disposable-personal-income-per-capita-in-the-us-since-2000/
- Trading Economics – United States Discretionary Personal Income: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/discretionary-personal-income
- OECD – Disposable income: https://data.oecd.org/hha/household-disposable-income.htm
- World Bank – Disposable income per capita: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD?locations=US
