Maria can either spend her Saturday working at a local café earning $100 or volunteering at an animal shelter where she will not earn any money. If she chooses to volunteer, what is the opportunity cost of her decision?

Opportunity cost is the value of what you give up when you make a choice. In Maria's case, if she decides to volunteer at the animal shelter instead of working at the café, she is giving up the $100 she could have earned. This means the opportunity cost of volunteering is $100, as that is the money she could have made if she had chosen to work. By understanding opportunity cost, Maria can better evaluate her options and make a decision that aligns with her goals and values. For example, if she values helping animals more than earning money, she might feel that the opportunity cost is worth it.