If you're a member of the Bar Association...

You likely know where tons of expensive CLE's can be found. But there are inexpensive options too; in my area, Committees and Sections of the bar have breakfast or lunch CLE's. They're not very expensive and are sometimes free.

I have attended both types and even if you're paying, it's much better to pay for a lunch once in awhile than to pay a lot for one class.

I no longer care about the CLE topics; free is good. Free with free lunch is better.

I report this year and paid $85 in total for my CLE's

The first time I reported, I paid a ton of money for CLE's. I wasn't even working at the time so it was a hardship. The following year I started finding out that there are free CLE's and attended a few. I still paid for some at my alma mater, but they were little $10 breakfasts for the most part. I did splurge on a half day that included breakfast and lunch for $25.

Minnesota Lawyers Mutual puts on a free 3-credit Ethics CLE each year in several jurisdictions. I attended last year and it was good.

Kinney & Lange in Minneapolis has an annual IP seminar. Free. All day. Great information.

Roy Adams is a national speaker and in several jurisdictions does an all day broadcast seminar; free if you attend the live version. Look for this in your area. Sponsors vary by location.