Suppose Shelby decides to eat the sugar cookies. Which result would be a cost?
Shelby will get to eat the sugar cookies. Shelby thinks sugar cookies will taste better than grapes would have. Shelby will give up the chance to eat the grapes. The grapes would have been healthier than the sugar cookies.
Shelby is deciding whether to eat grapes or sugar cookies for an afternoon snack. She would like to eat something tasty, but she 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 Shelby wants or needs:
Shelby will give up the chance to eat the grapes. The grapes would have been healthier than the sugar cookies.