Suppose Ruben decides to get the peach ice cream. Which result would be a cost?
Ruben will get to eat the peach ice cream. He likes this flavor more than strawberry cheesecake. Ruben will give up the chance to get a free waffle cone. He would have enjoyed the waffle cone.
Ruben is deciding whether to get peach ice cream or strawberry cheesecake ice cream. He likes peach more than strawberry cheesecake. But a scoop of strawberry cheesecake ice cream comes with a free waffle cone.
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 Ruben wants or needs:
Ruben will give up the chance to get a free waffle cone. He would have enjoyed the waffle cone.