Pearl of Wisdom: The Dumb Side of Hipsterism

I've been accused of being a hipster countless times over the last few years. Part of it is being a true-blue salty ("so alty") Wellingtonian. Part of it is having good taste in shit. Part of it is, and here's the kicker, having black, thick-frame Ray Ban prescription glasses before they were cool.

Since becoming financially independent and canine-ily responsible, I've started re-examining my hipster soul and trying to make good decisions based on what makes me happy AND what makes my wallet happy.

I have a Toyota Corolla. 

That is basically the most boring, least hipster car in the world.

My dad's always had vintage cars, and guess what? They are 100% terrible and will make you hate everything about everything.

When it comes to buying something pricey and, more importantly, a practical good which you will need to rely on heavily, the most important factor which we tend to overlook is fixability.

Shit breaks. How easy will it be to fix it? How often will it need fixing?

Vintage cars need fixing constantly. My dad's vintage Mercedes seems to have a permanent car park at his local mechanic. My Corolla (Alfie, his name's Alfie) has also needed a couple of fix ups since I bought it, but what I learnt from being around vintage cars my whole life is that having a rare specimen of vehicle means that sourcing parts is a lengthy, pricey process.

I can't stress how wonderful it is having the world's most common car. Alfie is a breeze to get fixed.

Alfie ♥

Fixability doesn't just apply to cars. Cellphones, laptops and other forms of tech which you are going to use daily and often rely on for Uni or work, they are going to break on you at some point. Before buying something important, make sure there is a safety net firmly in place. Avoid buying something too obscure, as 'cool' as it is, because it will be an absolute head ache to fix.

Fixability, harsh as this sounds, also applies to animals. If you're decide to go ultimate hipster cliche and fork out the $2,000 - $4,000 (NZD) it costs to purchase a French Bulldog puppy, consider that you've basically just bought inbreeding personified (dog-ified?). Dogs don't 'break' per se, but they get sick often and are prone to all sorts of issues. French Bulldogs and other such fashion breeds are the vintage car of the dog world. You're going to see your vet more than your own parents over your dog's lifetime.

When purchasing anything that will take a considerable chunk out of your pocket, assume that it will break, glitch up or get sick within the first 6 months of purchase.

How inconvenient will this be for you? Which product will be the easiest and cheapest option to get fixed? Is it worth trying to prove myself to other people via my image if I get something 'cool' that will become the bane of my existence?

I know, when you're in your 20s, you just want to have fun and you're earning actual money which you can use to fulfill all sorts of dreams you had growing up. You're free.

But also, you're in your 20s. Your job is kinda sucky. You think one of your flatmates might genuinely be insane. Your best friend just ditched you to go travelling. You have no idea what you're doing with your life. Et cetera, et cetera.

Really, do you want to add having to spend thousands of dollars fixing your car/pet/phone/laptop/whatever to that list?

Minimise yo' problems, don't buy things which you know will be an expensive hassle to fix.

Being practical is not synonymous with being boring. I may have a Corolla, but it's got a mo-fo'ing bat symbol on it and it smells like mo-fo'ing cherries on the inside. Alfie kicks ass.