Suppose Kenneth decides to get the cherries jubilee ice cream. Which result would be a cost?
Kenneth will get to eat the cherries jubilee ice cream. He likes this flavor more than brownie batter. Kenneth will give up the chance to get a free waffle cone. He would have enjoyed the waffle cone.
Kenneth is deciding whether to get cherries jubilee ice cream or brownie batter ice cream. He likes cherries jubilee more than brownie batter. But a scoop of brownie batter 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 Kenneth wants or needs:
Kenneth will give up the chance to get a free waffle cone. He would have enjoyed the waffle cone.