November 19, 2025 l Business Mirror
Being able to quantify or at least estimate the cost of getting in trouble for doing something or as a result of not doing something, is as beneficial as knowing the prices in a restaurant in deciding what to order. For most normal people it will affect your decision on what to do or not do. Trouble will manifest itself when something goes wrong in basic ways; financial, time, physical and psychological.
The financial cost of getting into trouble is normally quantifiable but not all the time. For example, traffic violations for speeding, illegal parking, not wearing a seat belt and so on have published rates and depending on your financial status, the cost may be insignificant so they are willing to get in trouble for what they consider as trivial. However, certain violations may incur both financial penalties as well as criminal liability, such as the non-payment of SSS contributions. While there are people who can afford to pay financial penalties, fewer people would be willing to risk incarceration.
Time cost is another consequence of getting into trouble. This is where th tradeoff in the time you save with the trouble it will cost you comes into play. Taking an express flight might be more expensive than one with a stop over but many people will be willing to pay that difference to make the trip faster. However, there could be situations such as the filing of permits and licenses that are done in haste to save time, and end up having to be refiled to make corrections and complete the documentation in the first filing. This is where the principle “do it right the first time” may be applicable when you think about the time it will cost you to redo work that was not done right.
Physical cost for getting into trouble can cover a wide range. Getting a sun burn for staying out in the sun too long or not wearing sun block is not as bad as losing a toe for not using safety shoes. However, it could get worse: not knowing how to operate heavy equipment properly can cost you your life or that of the other people in the area. Reckless, ignorant and psychotic people may not be aware of the physical costs of their action or inaction. Sometimes workers get compensated for the physical risks they take in the form of hazard pay, night shift differential, special allowances, medical reimbursement and insurance.
Psychological costs come in the form of mental health issues, feeling depressed, low self-esteem and may require professional help. Doing work that many people view as demeaning or stereotyping of certain careers, professions, nationalities and race. Discrimination of all sorts due to educational background, poverty, language, disability and so on, have a long-lasting negative effect on the less privileged members of society which sometimes keeps them in trouble and unable to get out of this vicious cycle of staying at the bottom.
There are certain events that may lead to trouble, causing multiple effects, such as a decision to leave, separate or divorce your spouse. There could be physical abuse from the spouse who refuses to accept your decision. Certainly, there will be financial repercussions due to the division of assets and claims on who owns what. The psychological impact of ending a family is never easy on all parties involved, including the children. Time will also be spent on legal proceedings, discussions with other family members on both sides and all the explanations that need to be made with friends, office mates and even neighbors. Sometimes, when couples consider all the cost this trouble will create, a decision is made to just maintain the status quo and live with an uneasy truce.
***The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as FINEX. For comments, email georgechuaph@yahoo.com. Photo is from Pinterest.