
21 Sunk Costs Examples (The Fallacy Explained) (2026)
Oct 21, 2023 · Examples of sunk costs include advertising, marketing, and training expenses. The money spent on these activities cannot be recovered if the project or activity is unsuccessful.
Sunk Cost Examples | Top 4 Examples with Explanation
A sunk cost is a cost that has already been spent but is not recoverable in any case, and future business decisions should not be affected by past spending. Spending on research, …
Understanding the Sunk Cost Dilemma: Meaning, Impact, and …
Dec 5, 2025 · Sunk costs are expenditures that can't be recovered. For example, if you decide halfway through installing new hardwood flooring in your house that you hate the way it looks, …
Four Examples of Sunk Cost - Indeed
Dec 16, 2025 · A sunk cost refers to a cost that has already occurred and has no potential for recovery in the future. For example, your rent, marketing campaign expenses or money spent …
Sunk Cost - Overview, Examples, Fallacy, Applications
A sunk cost is a cost that has already occurred and cannot be recovered by any means. Sunk costs are independent of any event and should not be considered when making investment or …
Understanding Sunk Costs: Definition, Examples, and Avoiding the Sunk …
Jul 18, 2025 · Personal finance examples of sunk costs include tuition fees, home improvement expenses, and non-refundable vacation packages. While these expenses may impact your …
Sunk Costs | Extensive Look With Examples and FAQs
Jan 31, 2024 · What are sunk costs? How do they impact decision making? Learn about these and other questions in our comprehensive guide with examples and FAQs.
Sunk Cost Definition, Examples, Sunk Cost Fallacy & More
Oct 19, 2021 · With sunk costs, a business cannot sell what it purchased to recoup the costs. For example, purchasing a machine to manufacture goods is a sunk cost because the business …
Sunk cost definition — AccountingTools
Nov 2, 2025 · A fixed cost that is not a sunk cost can be recovered, usually by selling it to a third party; for example, a tractor trailer that can be sold on the resale market is not a sunk cost.
What Is a Sunk Cost—and the Sunk Cost Fallacy? - Investopedia
Feb 27, 2025 · Sunk costs apply to personal and business settings. Once the resources (time, money, effort) are spent, they're gone and can't be recovered, no matter the outcome. Rational …