I've token a few courses on coursera for free. Did some useful stuff with that knowledge. I've spent a few hundred bucks on tech related courses and the value

I've token a few courses on coursera for free. Did some useful stuff with that knowledge. I've spent a few hundred bucks on tech related courses and the value I've derived isn't direct. I enjoyed the courses and it keeps my tech skills current - I consider that a hobby expense as opposed to an investment expense. You correctly identified time as a key parameter. I've signed up for dozens of coursera courses and not finished them. Those are free so no big deal. It would suck a bit more to pay cash for courses and not finish them.