Suppose Scarlett decides to borrow the book from the library. Which result would be a cost?
Scarlett will give up the chance to keep the book as long as she wants. Scarlett will save some money by not buying the book.
Scarlett is deciding whether to buy a copy of a book or borrow it from the library. She would like to be able to keep the book as long as she wants, but buying the book would cost money. She could borrow the book for free, but she would have to return it in a few weeks.
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 Scarlett wants or needs:
Scarlett will give up the chance to keep the book as long as she wants.