How much is knowledge worth?

Last week I stopped by a bookstore and picked up a couple of books that I haven't read yet but have been highly recommended. Final tally for two books: $49.78.

I subscribe to a number of magazines and newspapers that I read regularly to stay abreast of what's going on in the world or marketing. Finally tally of yearly subscriptions: $278.00

And then there is the time I spend listening, reading and watching a host of blogs, white papers, video webinars, etc. Final tally for that: $0 but then there is the value of my time, which is huge.

Now I'm not a big conference guy. Not that I don't think they have value, but with a wife, four kids and a demanding job, conferences are usually a luxury I can't afford (time not money) to take advantage of.. unless of course I'm speaking, in which case I make the time ;-). 

All of this to say, I've been thinking what is knowledge worth? Both in terms of acquisition of knowledge but maybe more importantly in the selling of knowledge, which is kind of what many of us do. And I guess along those lines, once you figure out how much your knowledge is worth, then how do you go about charging for that?

Anyone got an opinion on this stuff? Because I'd sure like to hear it.

photo by h.koppdelaney