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Decision Making

Opportunity Cost

The value of the next best alternative that you give up when making a choice.

April 21, 2026 1 min read

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that you give up when making a choice. Every decision you make carries a hidden cost: the value of the things you didn't choose. Recognizing opportunity cost ensures you are properly evaluating the trade-offs of your time, capital, and energy.