Suppose Samuel decides to take a trip to California. Which result would be a cost?
Samuel will give up the chance to go to South Carolina. He would have enjoyed a trip to South Carolina more than California. Samuel will save some money. Plane tickets for Samuel to get to California are less expensive than tickets to South Carolina.
Samuel is deciding whether to take a trip to South Carolina or California. He wants to enjoy his trip. But he 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 Samuel wants or needs:
Samuel will give up the chance to go to South Carolina. He would have enjoyed a trip to South Carolina more than California.