Which of the following best describes the term 'discretionary income'?

Discretionary income is best defined as the income that remains after all essential expenses, such as bills, groceries, housing, and other necessary costs, have been paid. This is the portion of income that individuals can use at their discretion for non-essential spending, saving, or investing. It is crucial for understanding personal budgeting because it determines how much money is available for discretionary purchases like entertainment, vacations, or luxury items.

In contrast, the other descriptions focus on different aspects of income. The income used for bills and essential expenses refers to necessary expenditures that must be paid before anything else. The total income before taxes does not account for any necessary deductions that define what funds are truly available for spending. Lastly, while savings can indeed come from discretionary income, categorizing discretionary income solely as savings ignores the potential for spending, which is a critical aspect of managing one's financial health.