Definition

The money you have left after paying for necessities like taxes and bills. This is the cash you can use for spending or saving.

What to consider

  • Know how much money you have left after paying essentials.
  • It’s the extra cash you can use for fun or savings.
  • Monitor changes as your income or expenses shift.

Real world scenarios

  • After taxes and bills, Tina calculates her disposable income for entertainment and hobbies. She chooses to save half and spend half on personal treats.
  • Jackson sees a boost in disposable income after a raise, which he allocates to boosting his emergency fund and taking a weekend trip.
  • By lowering monthly streaming subscriptions, Connie frees up more disposable income for investing in stocks or contributing to her 401K.

Related terms

Budgeting & Spending