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