25 years old and deep in debt

[Admiral Yi]

And that is in any way related to this story how?

You're totally awesome.

[Jacob]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Perhaps she has seen them in stores for years?

[merithyn]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Life experience as the mother of four kids?

Those stupid things show up at every birthday party my kids have ever been to. They show up at bridal and baby showers, at holiday parties, and at Mommy Meets. They're pretty ubiquitous, and they have to come from somewhere. Most are bought at Dharma Trading company, but they have a limited selection. If you want something that's custom-made, there are few options.

Given the huge number of SAHMs who take cake and cupcake decorating classes (based on the fact that they regularly book up at the three major craft stores in town who have them), I'm going with the fact that the whole "homebaked cakes" phenom isn't going away anytime soon. Those plastic picks are almost always included in the decor of the cupcake stuff.

[crazy canuck]

And that is in any way related to this story how?

You're totally awesome.

Dont forget nice.  I am very nice too.

[Jacob]

But what you are complaining about is why capitalism is supposed to be the most efficient allocator of resources.  If you were a government planner in charge of cupcakes and other baked goods you would never approve of the idea.  But they seem to think they can make a go of it and the only thing holding them back is the externality of their incredibly expensive education.

Which is really the point of the article.  Educating people has become so expensive that the debts incurred is creating a drag on business creation and expansion.

Exactly, but the response seems to be mostly warmed over platitudes to justify dismissive snideness unrelated to the point in question.

I mean, for Ed it's fine. He's suffering from pain so he lashes out, and he doesn't pretend there's some sort of objective basis or moral component to his mockery.

[Ed Anger]

 

[crazy canuck]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Life experience as the mother of four kids?

Those stupid things show up at every birthday party my kids have ever been to. They show up at bridal and baby showers, at holiday parties, and at Mommy Meets. They're pretty ubiquitous, and they have to come from somewhere. Most are bought at Dharma Trading company, but they have a limited selection. If you want something that's custom-made, there are few options.

Given the huge number of SAHMs who take cake and cupcake decorating classes (based on the fact that they regularly book up at the three major craft stores in town who have them), I'm going with the fact that the whole "homebaked cakes" phenom isn't going away anytime soon. Those plastic picks are almost always included in the decor of the cupcake stuff.

BB would make a terrible Minister for the production and allocation of cupcake thingies

[Ed Anger]

I must admit when i hear students telling me they are majoring in Music, I want to bash their faces in.

[merithyn]

I'm confused on something, though. It's nearly impossible to get financial aid for a second BA. Any loans incurred for it would have to be private loans, and have little to do with the FAFSA. So, if the woman in this discussion got a second BA (in Zoology, this time), she had to have paid for it out of pocket, or taken out unsecured student loans. It shouldn't be included in this article as proof that education loans are crippling.

Also, there's no mention in the article on what her first degree was in. If she already has a degree in Biology, and then moves on to Zoology, that makes sense. It puts her in a better position for a job with a zoo, or animal studies. Just saying she has a second BA doesn't really tell anyone much of anything without the context of her first degree.

[Barrister]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Life experience as the mother of four kids?

Those stupid things show up at every birthday party my kids have ever been to. They show up at bridal and baby showers, at holiday parties, and at Mommy Meets. They're pretty ubiquitous, and they have to come from somewhere. Most are bought at Dharma Trading company, but they have a limited selection. If you want something that's custom-made, there are few options.

Given the huge number of SAHMs who take cake and cupcake decorating classes (based on the fact that they regularly book up at the three major craft stores in town who have them), I'm going with the fact that the whole "homebaked cakes" phenom isn't going away anytime soon. Those plastic picks are almost always included in the decor of the cupcake stuff.

You said "their doodads".  Have you seen toppers from this particular company, Thick and Thin Designs?  If so then point taken.

If not, then it sounds even worse - they're trying to enter a crowded market.

[merithyn]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Life experience as the mother of four kids?

Those stupid things show up at every birthday party my kids have ever been to. They show up at bridal and baby showers, at holiday parties, and at Mommy Meets. They're pretty ubiquitous, and they have to come from somewhere. Most are bought at Dharma Trading company, but they have a limited selection. If you want something that's custom-made, there are few options.

Given the huge number of SAHMs who take cake and cupcake decorating classes (based on the fact that they regularly book up at the three major craft stores in town who have them), I'm going with the fact that the whole "homebaked cakes" phenom isn't going away anytime soon. Those plastic picks are almost always included in the decor of the cupcake stuff.

You said "their doodads".  Have you seen toppers from this particular company, Thick and Thin Designs?  If so then point taken.

If not, then it sounds even worse - they're trying to enter a crowded market.

[Ed Anger]

http://www.partycity.com/category/birthday+parties/cake+supplies/cupcake+supplies.do

Huh.  My male brain hurts.

[Barrister]

Where are you getting that from?  It isn't in the article.

Life experience as the mother of four kids?

Those stupid things show up at every birthday party my kids have ever been to. They show up at bridal and baby showers, at holiday parties, and at Mommy Meets. They're pretty ubiquitous, and they have to come from somewhere. Most are bought at Dharma Trading company, but they have a limited selection. If you want something that's custom-made, there are few options.

Given the huge number of SAHMs who take cake and cupcake decorating classes (based on the fact that they regularly book up at the three major craft stores in town who have them), I'm going with the fact that the whole "homebaked cakes" phenom isn't going away anytime soon. Those plastic picks are almost always included in the decor of the cupcake stuff.

You said "their doodads".  Have you seen toppers from this particular company, Thick and Thin Designs?  If so then point taken.

If not, then it sounds even worse - they're trying to enter a crowded market.

In fact I could not find any on the Dharma Trading company website.

[Jacob]

You said "their doodads".  Have you seen toppers from this particular company, Thick and Thin Designs?  If so then point taken.

If not, then it sounds even worse - they're trying to enter a crowded market.

I find it somewhat amusing that you're trying to make some sort of analysis of the soundness of their business plan given you know next to nothing of the industry, the market, the competitors, their track record with their business, or the specifics of their plan.

[Admiral Yi]

I find it somewhat amusing that you're trying to make some sort of analysis of the soundness of their business plan given you know next to nothing of the industry, the market, the competitors, their track record with their business, or the specifics of their plan.

He's not.  He's questioning Meri's assumptions.