Sometimes I start daydreaming about going back to school. I don't need another degree, but I'd love to explore topics like web design or cooking - just to indulge my interests.

Enrolling in an online program for personal satisfaction can be fun - but it can also take a huge toll on finances. (One web design program I was looking into topped $80,000!) It's difficult to justify spending that much when you don't plan on using the degree to further your career.

One alternative is checking out the many online educational resources that are available at no cost. MIT, Stanford, the BBC, and many other colleges / organizations offer high-quality online courses for free. Check out the Massive Free Education List to see if there's something you're interested in.