Suppose Bella decides to take a trip to Michigan. Which result would be a cost?
Bella will give up the chance to go to North Dakota. She would have enjoyed a trip to North Dakota more than Michigan. Bella will save some money. Plane tickets for Bella to get to Michigan are less expensive than tickets to North Dakota.
Bella is deciding whether to take a trip to North Dakota or Michigan. 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 Bella wants or needs:
Bella will give up the chance to go to North Dakota. She would have enjoyed a trip to North Dakota more than Michigan.