Trying to make a buck isn't bad. But I also repeat to people that learning this stuff is free. I think it's my obligation to repeat it to people so that they do

Trying to make a buck isn't bad. But I also repeat to people that learning this stuff is free. I think it's my obligation to repeat it to people so that they don't get taken advantage of by people trying to make a buck. You can learn it all for free, the only 'cost' is time, which varies wildly with or without paid guidance. It's ok to be thrifty, even "cheap", when it comes to learning, and for coding especially the best resources tend to be free. For guidance, there's a literal industry of practicing programmers who pay it forward all the time with source code plus guidance on IRC/skype/email/HN/blogs/etc.etc. Desire to actually learn is the key thing, and while paying someone can help keep your education progress on track even in the face of disinterest (college courses you hate but must pass), it's no substitute for internal motivation. (Edit: a sibling comment does note the sometimes paying can actually spark internal motivation. Paying for things can be worth it, but it isn't necessary.)