Suppose Nellie decides to take a trip to Tennessee. Which result would be a cost?
Nellie will give up the chance to go to Maryland. She would have enjoyed a trip to Maryland more than Tennessee. Nellie will save some money. Plane tickets for Nellie to get to Tennessee are less expensive than tickets to Maryland.
Nellie is deciding whether to take a trip to Maryland or Tennessee. She wants to enjoy her trip. But she is also trying to save money.
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 Nellie wants or needs:
Nellie will give up the chance to go to Maryland. She would have enjoyed a trip to Maryland more than Tennessee.