Baking Made Easier

I am not sure if you all know, but I have been baking the hard way for practically my entire baking career. I have never quite been able to justify spending $200+ on a stand mixer...maybe I'm just cheap. And yes, I know that Kitchen Aide mixers are WELL worth the money, especially for someone who wants to be in the business of baking, but I just cannot seem to shell out (or let my hubby) money for a mixer. 

Well Christmas is approaching and my hubby keeps threatening me with a $200+ stand mixer...so I had to take matters into my own hands and outsmart him, because I cannot accept such an expensive kitchen appliance that won't get used everyday, and also, I have NO idea where I would store something like that. So, I was out doing my weekly thrift store shopping excursion this weekend and stumbled across not one, but three different mixers at my local Goodwill. One of the mixers was just the mixer with no bowls or attachments, so that was immediately out of the running. The other two were definitely vintage, one of which is the exact one that my mom currently owns that she received as a wedding gift when she married my dad. Although I am familiar with that one, it is a horrible orange color and it didn't look well-cared for by its previous owner. The third choice was a Sunbean Mixmaster and came with two glass bowls and a set of beaters. The only issue is that it needs a little tape on the spin plate, but for $15 I just couldn't turn it down. I brought it home, cleaned it up and cannot wait to start using it...now if only I had it a week ago my pumpkin whoopie pies, and chocolate mousse pie would have been much easier to make :)