As I was studying my books for the exams I'd need for the Microsoft Certified Master - Exchange 2007 program (aka Exchange Ranger), I was contemplating how or if I was going to be able to pay for this thing, being that the cost exceeds $18,000.

I figured I basically had two options:

1. Get my employer to pay for the program and the travel expenses:
   • Application: $150
   • "Tuition": $18,500  - either paid direct by the company, or partially by education reimbursement of approximately $5500.
   • Airfare: $500 (Atlanta to Seattle, Round Trip)
   • Hotel: $2200-2500 for 22 days, easily $100+ a night for a decent hotel.
   • Food: $700, about $30 a day.
   • Total: Approximately $22,350 for a seriously tough 3-week training and certification course.
2. Pay for it all myself.
   • Application: $150
   • Tuition: $18,500, or $595 for 36 months.. $21,445 total.
   • Airfare: Free. Delta Skymiles will pay for it.. :)
   • Hotel: $2200-2500 for 22 days. Possibly less, if I can leverage air miles, etc.
   • Food: $700
   • Total: $24,795.

Option #1 is less expensive to me, because there is the assumption that my employer will fund most if not all of the trip.  

Option #2 is much more expensive to me, but then again so are the benefits - it's technical training of a caliber that is difficult to obtain anywhere other than at Microsoft.

Personally, I think #2 is more ethical - I invest in my own training, and can therefore personally drive the results I want to get.