What’s the best way to invest in my coding skills?

I'd avoid committing a lot of money to a bootcamp. Instead, set up a daily study schedule to get consistent practice in programming. Since you mentioned wanting to specialize in AppSec and AI, keep in mind that understanding foundational concepts in computer science is crucial. You may consider pursuing a Comp Sci degree eventually, but if that's not possible, build your own curriculum focusing on those core subjects. A budget-friendly bootcamp I took for $150 on Exercism really helped reinforce the fundamentals. They also had an awesome Discord community where mentors guided you along the way. Keep in mind, both AppSec and AI are deeper fields that will require a commitment, so be prepared for a learning journey!

I'd suggest looking into a Pluralsight subscription! It has tons of resources including courses and learning paths. Also consider picking up a few good books on programming. If you have any local conferences, those could be great networking opportunities too. Just a heads-up—be cautious with that extra $7.5k. If you decide to leave your job early, you’ll have to pay it back, and there might be clauses even if you get fired, so it feels risky.