Allan Hirt's Mission Critical SQL Server class, multiple SQLSaturdays, Pre-Cons at those events, hotels, meals, gas...a little over $5000.00 this year and almost all of my vacation days.

Between books, PluralSight,...

I travel about 600 miles to the Nashville event, and I think about the same for the time or two I've had enough vacation to go to Columbus.

Other than those...