Hello, so I take it that modelmayhem is only for building a portfolio, not making money? Because I didn't come here to really make a whole lot or have to pay a whole lot either but every model wants $300+ for photoshoots, but what do the real professional photographers and retouchers and editors get in return? I feel as though those are the guys that are actually putting in the majority of the work.

Everyone needs to figure out for themselves what they are here for. 
And obviously not everyone is a professional.
There used to be a lot more trading of services and portfolio building here....
but it seems that it's more of a cash exchange environment now.

What are you here for?
If it is to build a portfolio you may need to hire models to do that.
Or if you can find models who wants your work in their portfolio you may be able to trade or get hired to shoot for the model.

Also.... if you think the photographers put in the majority of the work and share that opinion with the models....
well, you may not be all that popular with the people you wish to trade services with.

"Most of the work?"    Is that how the value of an integral participant is calculated now days?  It isn't much different than the argument that the photographer has to pay for the camera, support equipment and supplies, so the model should work for free, or really, really cheap- like for prints she will never receive.

If a model is not worth the money to you, you can use your wife; girlfriend; friends; family; neighbors; co-workers; strangers in a coffee shop and you will probably get what you pay for.  If you are lucky you will get the one golden shot.  It isn't that working with these people does not have benefits- if they have no experience you learn to direct them and grit your teeth over the little things.  Where as a skilled model can take directions, adapt, improvise and read your mind.  Skilled models are aware of the light in the way street people are not.  They are worth the costs.

In calculating the worth of the model, consider she has to make a living and that living isn't paid for just by the pros.  If a amateur is using an hour of her time and the expenses it took to get there prepared, then why should that hour be worth less because the photographer is an amateur?  If anything, it should be worth more because she has to put up with stuff that a pro doesn't do.

What is the value of your project with the model?

What is the value of your project without the model when you can't execute without the model?  Then the project is equal to nothing or less.