controllable spending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controllable spending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing budget management or financial planning, referring to expenses that can be adjusted or limited. Example: "To improve our financial health, we need to focus on reducing controllable spending in our monthly budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That means £600m of savings, a cut of nearly half of the council's controllable spending.

The Guardian

$1.2 trillion is spent on travel and entertainment globally, making it the second-biggest controllable spending item for companies behind payroll.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is no secret that [already] over the last five years I have lost 30% of my controllable spend.

The Guardian

The remainder – Wall's "controllable spend" – has, he says, dropped by £7m over three years (from about £33m in 2011/12 to £26m in 2014/15).

The Guardian

"I really did want an environment that was both controlled and controllable," he said.

The New York Times

(Controlling the controllable, Jop Groeneweg 2002).

BMC Health Services Research

The thermal analysis showed that the concentration fluctuation between separated phases was controllable by changing the time spent for demixing before crystallization.

Polymer

Playing on a PS2 (the game also came out for the original Xbox and Sony's PSP handheld), I found the stick sensitivity incredibly twitchy compared to how these sort of games are geared nowadays a lot of time was accidentally spent rubbing my controllable Warrior up against a wall, and camera movement is also feels unnecessarily twitchy.

Vice

Playing on a PS2 (the game also came out for the original Xbox and Sony's PSP handheld), I found the stick sensitivity incredibly twitchy compared to how these sort of games are geared nowadays – a lot of time was accidentally spent rubbing my controllable Warrior up against a wall, and camera movement is also feels unnecessarily twitchy.

Vice

Not so much in the vagaries of the world economy or the housing cycle as in the more controllable area of government policy—specifically, public spending and regulation.At 42.6%, the state's share of GDP in Britain still contrasts favourably with the euro area's 48.4%.

The Economist

This is a system in which you arrange all of your own business travel directly on your company's internal travel-booking engine, which is managed by a third party like American Express, Navigant International or others to squeeze every possible cost-saving and negotiated-discount advantage from travel spending, which is one of the biggest controllable corporate expense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In reports, clearly differentiate between "controllable spending" and fixed costs to provide stakeholders with an accurate understanding of the financial flexibility within the organization. Visual aids like charts can further highlight this distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "controllable spending" interchangeably with essential or fixed expenses. "Controllable spending" refers specifically to costs that can be reduced or eliminated, whereas necessary spending covers essential operational expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controllable spending" functions as a noun phrase that describes a category of expenses subject to management's discretion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in contexts related to budgeting, financial management, and economic policy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controllable spending" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to expenses which can be actively managed and adjusted. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and has relevance in discussions about budgeting and financial planning. While examples are not abundant, the phrase is well-defined and understood, with several alternative expressions available to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "controllable spending" specifically for expenses that can be influenced, differentiating them from fixed or essential costs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manageable expenditure

Focuses on the ease of handling the spending.

discretionary expenses

Highlights the optional nature of the spending.

adjustable outlays

Emphasizes the ability to modify the spending.

regulatable costs

Indicates that the spending can be governed by rules.

variable expenditures

Points out the fluctuating nature of the spending.

budgetable expenses

Highlights the spending that is included in a budget.

curtailable spending

Focuses on the ability to reduce the spending.

modifiable spending

Highlights the flexibility to change the spending.

governable spending

Emphasizes the control aspect through governance.

Influenceable spending

Emphasizes the possibility to change the spending through influence.

FAQs

What does "controllable spending" mean in budgeting?

In budgeting, "controllable spending" refers to expenses that management can adjust or eliminate. It's distinct from fixed costs like rent, focusing instead on discretionary items like travel or marketing. Identifying and managing this type of spending is key to effective financial control.

How can I reduce "controllable spending" in my business?

Reducing "controllable spending" involves identifying areas where expenses can be cut without harming core operations. Strategies include negotiating better rates with suppliers, reducing travel expenses, and cutting discretionary project spending. Regular reviews of spending habits can uncover further savings opportunities.

What's the difference between "controllable spending" and "uncontrolled spending"?

"Controllable spending" refers to expenses that can be managed or reduced, while "uncontrolled spending" refers to costs that are difficult to regulate or predict. Examples of uncontrolled spending might include emergency repairs or unexpected increases in utility costs. Effective budgeting requires managing both types of expenses.

What are some alternatives to "controllable spending"?

You can use alternatives like "manageable expenditure", "discretionary expenses", or "adjustable outlays" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.