Outspend: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word combines 'out', meaning more than, and 'spend', which comes from old English meanings of to use money or resources.
• It traces back to the mid-20th century, reflecting changes in consumer behavior and competition in spending.

Economics

• In competitive markets, companies often outspend one another in advertising to attract more customers.
• Personal finance teaches people about budgeting to prevent outspending their income, leading to debt.
• Government budgets can show how different regions might outspend on public services, impacting their economy.

Pop Culture

• Reality TV often showcases contestants who outspend each other in lavish lifestyles, influencing social norms.
• In some video games, players can outspend rivals on upgrades, leading to victory in gameplay scenarios.

Psychology

• People may feel pressure to outspend peers as a way of showing success or status, which can lead to financial stress.
• The desire to outspend can stem from social comparison, causing individuals to inflate their spending to feel superior.

Technology

• In the tech industry, companies often outspend each other on research and development to innovate faster.
• Crowdfunding has allowed startups to outspend traditional businesses by leveraging community support and investment.