Suppose Cole decides to eat the cupcakes. Which result would be a cost?
Cole will give up the chance to eat the crackers. The crackers would have been healthier than the cupcakes. Cole will get to eat the cupcakes. Cole thinks cupcakes will taste better than crackers would have.
Cole is deciding whether to eat crackers or cupcakes for an afternoon snack. He would like to eat something tasty, but he is also trying to be healthier.
Before you decide to do something, it is often helpful to list costs and benefits.
Costs are what you give up or spend when you decide to do something. Costs involve giving up things that you want or need.
Benefits are what you gain or save when you decide to do something. Benefits involve gaining something that you want or need.
This result is a cost. It involves giving up or spending something that Cole wants or needs:
Cole will give up the chance to eat the crackers. The crackers would have been healthier than the cupcakes.