Sixteen-year-old Michael wanted a car. One evening while his father was paying bills, Michael looked over his father's shoulder and saw how much money had been placed in the checking account. He whistled. "I thought you said that you didn't have enough money to buy me a used car. In just one month you could buy me the car I want." Michael's father then gave him a lecture on the differences between income and what is left after money is spent on utilities, mortgages, insurance premiums, and food. "Total income," his father said, "is not the same as ________ income, the source from which your unnecessary car would have to come."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The word "discretionary" means "available for use at one's own discretion" or "left to one's own judgment" and refers to income or money that is available to spend after all necessary expenses have been paid. This fits the context of the sentence and the father's lecture to his son about the difference between total income and income available for discretionary spending. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Sixteen-Year-Old Michael Wanted a Car