The proposed budget package would for three years establish separate caps, one on military expenditures and another on domestic discretionary expenditures - everything from education to food inspections.

They have recognized the need to cut back on discretionary expenditures.

Marketing costs are often a major part of a firm's overall discretionary expenditures.

One of the most powerful committees in the in the U.S. Congress, the Appropriations Committee has authority over all discretionary expenditures made by the federal government.

"In times of difficulty, states tend to look for areas they can make adjustments to, and higher education represents the largest area of discretionary expenditures," he said.

Providing for a parent is probably the least discretionary expenditure you'll ever have, after providing for your children.

Increasingly close scrutiny of discretionary expenditure and consideration given to alternative methods of achieving existing goals.

They may choose what breakfast cereals or brand of baked beans they will eat, and have some discretionary expenditure within their pocket money.

The banks, labor and utilities all get paid, but discretionary expenditures get put on the back burner.

In that period, by discretionary additions in the aggregate, the Council added EUR 33 billion of discretionary expenditure.