I agree with Bryant Hodson in that there is a definite investment in these items, but that the ROI is immense. Part of that immensity, I think, is due to the investment itself.

Think about it: Most people don’t invest their money for a myriad of reasons. Some don’t feel like they have the know-how or the wherewithal, while others are nervous or afraid of loss. Some don’t even know about investment, nor do they understand the potential gain. Others, still, might be too lazy or too conformed to they way things are.

The points you mention are ways to invest in yourself, something not everyone is doing these days. As these traits and behaviors become more rare, their value increases, making them an even better investment over time.

Because of this, someone who really mentalizes the return won’t think twice about the investment and, thus, the cost for the investment becomes negligable.