Thats a really interesting question and I can't wait to hear the responses.
I only have one but I have thoughts on what the other two should be. So far my Kitchenaid is my best investment. The other two will be 1. replacing all my pans with magic line pans 2. a countertop convcetion oven so that I can have a second oven that doesn't require me to have a bigger kitchen
Well I guess on a smaller scale:
1. Kitchenaide
2. 55 piece set of Ateco tips and disposable bags
3. various decorating books:
Collette Peters Cakes to Dream on
Creative Cookies by Toba Garrett
Wedding Cakes you can Make by Dede Wilson
The Complete Book of Cake Decorating with Sugarpaste by Sylvia
Coward
Cake bible
Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor by Anne Byrn
I am stilll kind of starting out also. But my best one I think is my toolbox set from wilton. It has alot of things you need starting out and it is a place to keep them. Not sure what the others would be.
My wish list includes
1) a good camera to take good pictures of my cakes
2) a Kitchen Aid My DH bought me a sunbeam mixer last year for Christmas(all we could afford). It works fine but I know Kitchen Aids are heavy duty.
3)Magic line pans
4) cake books
nglez09,
Love your signature line.
Makes me wonder; if some people reiterate...does that mean the rest of us just iterate?
My best investments:
My KA which I've had forever (15+ yrs.)
My cake and cake decorating books.
My double sets of cake pans.
And the best investment for which I paid out no money, but from which I have received the greatest return:
www.cakecentral.com
I must agree with JanH,
1. my KA
2. my double sets of pans
3. my books and magazines
But even though the KA is more expensive, having doubles of my pans has made my life sooo much easier! or wait... adding up prices, maybe my pans are more expensive?!?!?
Well I already had my KA before I started to do cakes however I'm still thankful to have it. It never got so much use before so it's still my #1 fav!
2. My agbay cutter. I don't know how I lived without this before! Much better then I thought it would be.
3. My sponge roller to make smooth buttercream. Cheep but worth oh so much more!
1. Band saw
2. Dremmel tool
3. Pasta machine with motor
I'm a technical gal. 
Michele
Here is a link to a picture of one. I didn't get mine through that website but it's exactly like it. I got it at a local cake supply store and it was cheaper too.
http://www.cakesbysam.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=21979
KimAZ
What's an agbay cutter and where did you buy that sponge you use to smooth your BC?
The Agbay is like a large saw that will level and slice cakes. It is WONDERFUL for getting really thin layers or to level the top of your cake after it's been torted.
I got mine at Cake Camp in Vegas this year but you can also order it and read about it at www.Agbayproduct.com
The sponge roller is found in the paint supplies. It is a small sponge roller used for painting but when used on buttercream that has been crusted it smooths the icing perfectly. I learned about it on CC. It's a super great "trick" or "tip" that I think everyone should try at least once.
I got mine at Home Depo and it was only a few dollars.
Im relatively new to the world of cake decorating, but in my short time, these are the thing that I have gotten the most out of:
1. My Wilton Method courses. If it weren't for the courses, I wouldn;t have gotten into cake decorating and it provided the spark to all of this.
2. My brand spanking new KitchenAid Artisan Mixer. I've only used it twice and I havent quite gotten used to it, but I think its going to be my buttercream and frosting mixer cause I like the way my other mixer does with cake mixes.
3. Cake Central.com, I dont have anyone else to speak cake decor with and cakecentral fills that void plus some. I am literally on here for hours on end and I could stay all day, I leave the page open on my laptop and if I dose off or go to sleep, as soon as I turn my computer back on, I refresh cakecentral. Hugs and Kisses to everyone here at CC
Kitchen Aid
Ateco fondant work mat (-got it cheaper from some discount place online!)
Paint scraper (or whatever it's called for smoothing BC!)
Boy I want an agbay!!! I have to save up!
I love my KA but it was a Christmas gift from my in-laws 15 years ago, so I really didn't "invest" in it.
My best investment would definitely have to be the stress-free support system. Earlene recommended it. Bought from Arlene Haas about 4 years ago. I swear, the cakes don't budge at all.
Here is a link to a picture of one. I didn't get mine through that website but it's exactly like it. I got it at a local cake supply store and it was cheaper too.
http://www.cakesbysam.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=21979
KimAZ
Very nice!
I love my KA but it was a Christmas gift from my in-laws 15 years ago, so I really didn't "invest" in it.
My best investment would definitely have to be the stress-free support system. Earlene recommended it. Bought from Arlene Haas about 4 years ago. I swear, the cakes don't budge at all.
What is the stress free support system????
The stress-free support system is a set of graduating stainless steel rings with screw-on plastic legs. You adjust the legs so that the ring sits on top of the cake and put the next tier on the ring.
You still dowel (I double dowel) but you don't have to worry about the weight of the cake shifting and crushing the bottom one. Plus If you cake is a little lop-sided, you can "level" the cake.
I think the set is over $200.00 but well worth the money. You can see it at www.earlenescakes.com
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