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Husband vs Wife (The Sequel)

3/6/2012

34 Comments

 
Picture
Before My Daughter Was Born
Husband vs Wife part 1 was a total bust for me because every woman (and their mother) in the world sided with my wife and all the men sided with whichever side their wife sided with... which was the side of my wife. Anyway, we are back having another financial debate. This time we are debating about the birthday cake that we have to buy before this Sunday because my daughter (child genius) is having her first birthday.
Once again I am going to set up her side of the argument as well as my side of the argument in a very objective and non judgmental way. Hopefully you (the reader) can give us your fully informed and unbiased judgement. Here is the case.

My wife wants to buy a super expensive $100 birthday cake for the first birthday party of our daughter who we barely know. Ok now that you have the case here is the debate.
-
Her Unbiased Denfense
My wife says she wants a birthday cake from Soutine Bakery because the process of making a cake is an art. In fact, she says cake makers strive for the art of designing flavors and aesthetics which creates the perfect balance of ingredient articulation rendering each piece with sensitivity and technical expertise.

My Unbiased Denfense
Tom Carvel felt the same way but for only $25. Besides I am a master at photoshop and can easily swap out the cake and put in whichever size, flavor, and name brand she wants. If you don't believe me you can see the photoshoped image of my son hugging Elmo when his second birthday party got canceled due to Hurricane Irene. 

That is a total savings of $90. A savings which would allow us to buy me.

1. Psycho Slip On Pair Of Tattoo Sleeves - $9.99
2. Do Not Cross Police Line Shower Curtain - $23.92
3. Accept The Fact You Are Aging Breath Spray - $6.97
4. Shredder Guitar Cheese Grater - $12.95
and 
5. Tee Time Toilet Potty Puter, For that person that takes their time... - $14.95

Total cost $68.78... leaving us $6.22 which is enough to get her a very thoughtful gift from the two of us. 

What's your unbiased thought?

Until tomorrow.

Jai 

 
34 Comments
maria@moneyprinciple link
3/6/2012 03:11:51 am

Jai, this time I am with you - get the cheaper cake if it is not a compromise on taste. In fact, when our son was one John make a very large a tasty cake - when I asked 'have you done this before' he answered 'no, but it can't be that hard'. This is why we have been married for so long.

On a different matter, I have a bit of a problem following the numbers (100-25=90) but then the sum of purchases and what is left is 75 (which is the correct answer). Is this some photoshop witchcraft ;)

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 04:09:52 am

John is multi talented. Too bad you guys didn't live in the states. I would pay to have a John cake. The math is based off of the savings minus the wonderful man gifts that I want. :)

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maria@moneyprinciple link
3/6/2012 09:01:01 pm

Jai, make your own cake - you are a man of many talents as well. And your son can help (now this will be interesting).

Crystal link
3/6/2012 03:13:04 am

If the $100 cake is for your daughter's sake, don't bother. She won't remember, the guests won't remember, and like you said, the pics could be doctored, hahaha.

BUT, if this is just the opportunity your wife wanted to eat a $100 cake, I'd step away very slowly and let her have at it. ;-)

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 04:08:12 am

Haha. I have to ask her. Good point.

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Christopher link
3/6/2012 03:40:58 am

I say go for the cake only because my wife is standing behind me reading this as I do. :-)

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 04:08:53 am

Hahahahahaha...

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Modest Money link
3/6/2012 06:58:39 am

This is a tough call. Personally I'd have to hard time spending that much on a cake. I could see why your wife might want to go with a fancy cake to impress the guests. Your daughter certainly won't remember it though. Balancing finances and the urge to impress people can be difficult.

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 08:08:02 am

Good point. Let's see how this pans out.

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Zack Jones link
3/6/2012 08:02:18 am

Buy a box mix cake, bake it according to instructions, set it in front of child genius and let her have a ball eating it however she wants while you either film or or take several pictures. Spending any more on a cake is just a waste of money.

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 08:08:59 am

Great point. Plus child genius can figure out we still love her.

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Newlyweds on a Budget link
3/6/2012 09:51:52 am

$100 for a child's first birthday party??? your wife MUST be joking.

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 10:17:20 am

You don't know my wife. :)

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SB @ One cent at a time link
3/6/2012 03:58:15 pm

See now frugal tendency is also chipping in in your thoughts..

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 10:51:39 pm

I totally agree.

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Marissa link
3/6/2012 04:45:10 pm

$100 for a cake blows my mind.

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 10:52:12 pm

If it blew yours imagine what it did to mine.

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Money Infant link
3/6/2012 08:50:12 pm

Good thing my wife is in the other room right now. I have to agree with you Jai. $100 for a cake for an adult would be insane, but for a 1 year old?

"cake makers strive for the art of designing flavors and aesthetics which creates the perfect balance of ingredient articulation rendering each piece with sensitivity and technical expertise."

That may very well be true, however it will have no bearing whatsoever on your daughters sensibilities at the age of 1, nor will she likely appreciate the fine nuances, articulation or sensitivities of the cake maker and his art.

I say Betty Crocker FTW!

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Jai Catalano link
3/6/2012 10:52:58 pm

Thank God your wife is in the other room. Between you and me I LOVE BC.

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AverageJoe link
3/6/2012 11:36:38 pm

How are you going to grate cheese in the shower if you've wasted all the money on a birthday cake?

Priorities, man. You've gotta make these tougher questions for the audience. Cheese grater & shower curtain by a mile....

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Jai Catalano link
3/7/2012 02:06:25 am

Now I feel like we are on to something.

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Jackie link
3/7/2012 01:14:06 pm

Go for the cheaper cake and send the savings to me.

(But it's not about your kid, it's about your wife, so go for the $100 cake.)

I'm helpful, right?

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Jai Catalano link
3/7/2012 02:43:31 pm

I hope she doesn't read what you wrote. :)

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Super Frugalette link
3/7/2012 02:34:45 pm

First birthday - kid #1, he got an upside down ice cream cone thing from Baskin Robins...cost $3. We took pictures.

First birthday - kid #3, homemade Belgium waffles with ice cream and whipped cream, and sprinkles on top. Took pictures. Child was happy.

I would never spend $100

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Jai Catalano link
3/7/2012 02:43:50 pm

Now that is my kind of thinking.

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Kay Lynn @ Bucksome Boomer link
3/8/2012 07:05:02 am

I was with your wife last time, but not this time. That's a crazy price for a 1 year old birthday cake. I can see spending a lot for a special birthday (sweet sixteen) but not now when your daughter won't know the difference.

P.S. If you start with the first cake at $100, it can only go up from there!

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Jai Catalano link
3/8/2012 07:08:57 am

It's safe to say I am winning this one. When I get the women on my side it's pretty much done from there.

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Niki link
3/8/2012 11:48:30 am

Okay, I am still laughing at the 'we barely know her' comment. I had to read it a couple times.

I am with you on this one. But you can't take my word for it, I am a total cheapskate when it comes to first birthday cakes. Our grocery store offered free small cakes for a child's first birthday and we of course took them up on their offer.

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Evan @ Smart Wealth link
3/9/2012 12:05:52 am

$100 is way too much for a first birthday, I side with you on this one

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Jai Catalano link
3/9/2012 01:44:43 am

Good news. I won.

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Tushar Mathur link
3/9/2012 12:25:19 am

Since its her first birthday, she will have not remember anything...the party, guests, cake, gifts.. nothing. So why bother with such an expensive cake.
But I also feel that if your wife has been frugal in everything else and this is just one thing that she really really wants, I say let her have it.

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Jai Catalano link
3/9/2012 01:45:23 am

Good point but the pressure of the community has gotten the best of her. I won. That's 1 me and 1 her.

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femmefrugalitly link
3/10/2012 03:33:01 pm

I have to agree with you. My mom always made our birthday cakes...they were always really cute and themed and special. So that's always an option. Especially in the world of DIY blogs. Not that she should have to make it...you could too. Haha. But otherwise the $25 cake. Sorry, Mrs.!

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Jai Catalano link
3/10/2012 11:56:35 pm

Daddy won. :) We got a $40 cake. I would have done it myself but there was just too much to do with 2 little ones.

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    Jai Catalano

    There are 3 things I can't change... my 2 kids, my 1 wife and my 0 rights.

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