Total Cost Of Ownership (Tco) 

Total cost of ownership (TCO) is an accounting term that refers to the total costs associated with owning and operating a piece of equipment or property. TCO includes direct costs like purchase price, repairs, and fuel, as well as indirect costs like opportunity cost, depreciation, and financing.

In business, the concept of TCO is used to analyze whether it is cheaper to buy or lease equipment. For example, if a company needs a new printer, they will compare the TCO of buying the printer outright to the TCO of leasing it. In general, leases have lower upfront costs but higher ongoing costs than purchasing outright; therefore, companies must carefully consider all cost factors when making decisions about equipment procurement.

The TCO approach can also be useful for personal finance decision-making. For instance, when considering whether to buy or lease a car, individuals should calculate the total monthly cost of ownership including things like insurance, registration fees, and maintenance. By understanding all the associated costs of car ownership, individuals can make informed decisions about what type of transportation best suits their needs and budget.