Suppose Edward decides to eat the crackers. Which result would be a cost?
Edward will get to eat the crackers. The crackers will be healthier than the peach cobbler would have been. Edward will give up the chance to eat the peach cobbler. Edward thinks peach cobbler would have tasted better than crackers will.
Edward is deciding whether to eat crackers or peach cobbler 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 Edward wants or needs:
Edward will give up the chance to eat the peach cobbler. Edward thinks peach cobbler would have tasted better than crackers will.