It's Just Money

So, what's the problem with Multi Level Marketing scams (er, business models)

Recently, I wrote a post about the product, Mona Vie, which is sold through a Multi-Level Marketing system.  In case you are not familiar with the product, it is a super juice of some sort with exotic ingredients, such as Acai Berries and Kyrptonite.  I questioned the ability for the juice to cure all the ailments that is claimed by the many distributors out there, and the viability of the business model to actually make money for those same distributors.

The number of comments on that post was pretty incredible.  Many of the comments, not surprisingly, defended the quality of the juice.  The juice was credited with healing, curing or aiding in the following areas:  multiple sclorosis, weight loss, joint pain, high blood pressure, mood swings, something about ORAC values in Leukemia cells, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, arthritis and gas reduction.  I'm serious.  It does all this.  Read the comments for yourself.  They don't lie.

Of course, there were comments that defended the business model, and in fact the MLM business model in general.  Frankly, being a money blog, this is what interested me.  I could give a damn about the juice.  If it tastes good, doesn't kill people, and can sell, maybe I'll sign up to make some money.  But do I really want to be one of those MLM people out there?

So, here were the arguments in favor of multi-level marketing.

Teen Teaches Financial Literacy to Adults

I freaking love this.  One of the topics that I have seen frequently on the PF blogosphere is how little financial education there is for America's youth, and how that leads to poor decision making as adults.

In a reversal of roles, High School Freshman and Teen Columnist, Emily Hu, writes For Adults, It's Payback Time.

A brilliant nugget from Miss Hu's article: 

"It comes down to this: Once upon a time, when people were forced to really consider what they could afford and credit actually counted for something, people bought houses they could live in for a few years."