Right now I have an electric hand mixer (a Waring 12 speed) that can convert to a stand mixer. If I were to replace it- what would you suggest? I don't want to spend $300 on a kitchenaid right now.
Any cookies I've made in the past were usually just mixed by hand. I'm new to this site and haven't done any decorating yet. So- I'm going to need a new mixer for the icings etc. I'm very excited to get started! Any help is appreciated! 
Boy I would say Kitchen Aid, Or my dream a Hobart.... My Kitchen Aid was a must after my 4th hand mixer motor burned out by doing a double batch of buttercream icing. A stand mixer with power is a must if you will be making lots of frosting. 300.00 is a lot of money but worth the investment.
yeah- I wouldn't mind spending the money, but this isn't going to be a business for me- just a hobby and for friends and family. I'm in college. How about a KA hand mixer? I'm not going to be doing HUGE batches of anything
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I thought you should all know....Kitchen Aids...dont fly very well....they take the hit to the floor pretty hard 
.....so make sure just to use it for mixing! 
I don't have a business...I just make cakes for my friends and family also. However, lets say I am making a 9 inch round, when using a buttercream icing I always make a double batch. One for icing and filling the cake and the rest to decorate. I always have extra left over so I just freeze and use when needed. You know, come to think of it....I have always had cheap hand mixers say 12$ maybe thats why the motors always burned up during double batch buttercream. A Kitchen Aid hand mixer? Not sure? Maybe!
Hi,
I have the same mixer as you 
! Its a hand mixer that you attach to a stand. The base of the stand rotates! It does not have the power I would hope for but it gets the job done, with a little patience...of course. I am going to use it till I kill it ..just like 2 others !! The cheep mixer is ok...if your not intending to to big batches to often.
Use it till it dies and then see if you want to purchase another of the samre thing. Or go the more expensive mixers.
Could keep a look out for mixers at ebay ?
God Provides,
Crista
Here's my advice....get a stand mixer. The great news is that even an older kitchenaid or other brand stand mixer will still run great, and you can often pick them up for around $25. at garage sales or estate sales. Just plug it in and see if it works. Also check ebay. The refurbished ones have decent prices, but again, older models work as well and are less expensive.
It always comes down to pay now...pay later. I use my kitchenaid mixer for so much...mostly icing but also for cookie dough, cakes from scratch, mashed potatoes, whatever I can use it for. Plus, if you ever want to make royal icing, you have to mix it for 7 minutes or some such time and holding a hand mixer will be a real challenge.
I have one with the bowl lifter and think next time I will get one with the tilting head to make it easier to add sugar and other ingredients...
BTW, once you start with cakes there's not getting away from them so you'll be doing more then you ever thought.
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