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My transformation began so innocently with the benign donation of my microwave. I needed the counter space but I also liked the fact that I would be cooking my food in a much more natural way. I was concerned about too many microwaves being ingested as I ate bags of kettlecorn or when I warmed up meaty tasting tea water.
When thinking of hipsters I think of counter-culture a@@holes who are self-deprecating in embracing the humor that surrounds how they live their daily lives. Lounging in coffee shops, riding cruisers, or road bikes through the streets while listening to their ipods. Working on their MacBookAir at the local coffee shop because Starbucks is the corporate America harbinger of doom. Thrift stores are their shopping domain and Buffalo Exchange is the Nordstroms of the hipster set. Heavy black rimmed sunglasses worn to highlight the sharpness of cheekbones in the summer sun. Digging through a well planted garden sporting cilantro, onions, zucchini (deep friend zucchini blossoms rock!) and other delicious goodies cultivated by.their. own. hands.
I didn’t see how quickly I had transformed into a hipster. Growing up in Boulder I have to admit to having a less than conventional upbringing and way of thinking. I always loved wearing skinny jeans as they paired well with tunics, long slouchy sweaters or dresses that I could pair with my jeans. It wasn’t unusual to have conversations with friends who dumpster dived while walking barefoot from place to place as a way to experience foot freedom.
As I embraced riding my cruiser bike (given to me as a gift), wearing my black heavy rimmed sunglasses, and a quick shopping trip to Magical Goodwill (after visiting my Community Garden) I had the disturbing realization that I WAS a hipster. And it was saving me a ton of money. So, I’ve decided not to fight it. As I grow my food during the summer, shop locally, wear my clothes for as long as possible and replace them from Magical Goodwill I can’t believe how much these habits save me money.
How Being A Hipster Saves Me Money
Used clothing on 50% off day at Magical Goodwill ROCKS ($2,000 a year)
8/8/2015 Use my Fall/Winter 2015 Lookbook to shop your closet and
learn how add to your wardrobe-cheaply!
And yes, I do shop at Buffalo Exchange (I got my Ray Bans There)
I cook 90% or more of my meals (Estimated $2,000 a year)
I save a lot of my money by not eating food outside of my home too often
I don’t own a car and currently use public transportation(for free) or ride my bike
($2,000 a year)
I cut my own hair/dye/etc my own hair ($500 a year)
I grow food during the summer
I use AirBnB* when I travel (receive $25 if you click on that link and sign up)
I go to the library and check out books and movies-for free! ($200 a year)
I volunteer at-music festivals/events/etc ($250 a year)
I go to free days at the Museum/Botanic Gardens/Zoo etc. ($200 a year)
Estimated Savings: $7150
This post has been a little bit tongue-n-cheek as these are also habits of very frugal people who aren’t hipsters but I find it a bit disturbing how easily I fit into the mold. As long as it continues to save me money, I have fun with it, and I don’t feel deprived then I don’t mind being an accidental hipster.
If I lived in Portland this would be my life
And yes, it is ironic that H&M produced this video
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As long as you feel good about how you live your life and you’re improving your financial health and overall well being, enjoy being a hipster 🙂 I embrace being a financial diva in the most positive sense of the word 🙂
I’ve accepted this label in an ironic way. As long as I can save money I’m happy with it.
Haha come visit me in Portland! Whatever the title is, if it saves you money, WORK IT. I guess I’m a semi-hipster, but without the pretension, lol.
I have to visit Portland. We will have to have a pf bloggers’ meetup and go to dinner. Portland is on my list for 2015 for sure. AND, I heard the food is great!
I have never heard of Buffalo Exchange but one needs to make it’s way to Georgia! 🙂 Thrifting is pretty much the most awesome thing ever and I too am starting to realize that I may be a hipster or a hippie as my hubs calls me. 🙂
Jessi, there is a Buffalo Exchange in Atlanta! It’s a little edgy/quirky/nice. I also shop at Magical Goodwill too. I’m not shopping anymore so I have to use what I have. Luckily, I don’t like patchouli 🙂
Love it. We’re accidental hipsters too. Mr. Frugalwoods has a beard and wears flannel shirts (from Goodwill) and I love my skinny jeans. Plus, of course, we do everything ourselves and by hand. Cambridge, MA (where we live) is an absolute mecca for hipsters, so we’re able to disguise our true frugal werido nature as just hipster action. Good thing since we have home haircuts and an 18-yr old minivan 🙂
I’m in good company then! I also am making the switch to making more and more things by hand. Colorado is also a mecca for hipsters and I live next to a neighborhood that could be considered a hipster “mecca”.
That video reminded me of what Seattle was like when I lived there. It’s like a decade or so behind. 🙂 Or maybe they are ahead…hmmm. Anyway, I’m so not hipster and not just saying that. I buy clothes (on the rare occasion I do) from Target and Kohl’s which most def not considered hispter. Sill I do hispster money saving things though so I’m not sure what to label myself. Probably just frugal. If you were a frugal hipster you’d be a Fripster? 🙂 I’m totally tradmarking that shit.
So cool! I found it horribly ironic that H & M produced the video. At least we had Kurt Cobain. But, quite frankly my life kind of sounds like what he describes. Ahem. I like the idea of being a Fripster. Target is not a Hipster mecca and I had to stop shopping there because of my obsession.
We usually cook our own meals too, but sometimes I treat my family to eat outside. I can say that I’m a hipster because I only own 3 jeans and my sister always laughed me about that! lol
I technically own more than 3 pairs of jeans but at least 1/2 are from the thrift store!
I’m still not there for me (the kids – I’m good). Thrift store finds is something I’ll work on in 2015 when I regain my fit & style! You are too funny!
I don’t shop that much anymore. I am shocked at how good my Goodwill is…but it’s in a prime location so it gets great donations. I think you should just shop your closet instead. If used clothes aren’t for you then don’t bother with it-economize in a different part of your life and just shop sales instead.
There is nothing wrong with being a hipster! 🙂
I’m in pretty good company!
After reading your post..I title myself a “Hipster”. It is good to know that I am not alone. However, I do have a car. It is extremely hot in AZ,so walking and waiting for public transportation is not an option. Being a Hipster = being financially conscious. That is cool beans in my book..
..
Yeah, I would not be able to use public transportation in AZ! I’m sensitive to extreme heat. We are in good company 🙂
Hey Michelle! Just curious – why does it end up costing you $2k to ride your bike every year? Sounds like a lot but maybe you can shed some light 🙂
It doesn’t cost me $2000 a year to ride my bike 🙂 That’s a list of the estimated amounts that I save doing each activity. So, my not having a car and riding my bike saves me around $2000. So each line item is a thing that I do and what I think it saves me.
LOL! Totally read that wrong. Thanks for clarifying 🙂
No Worries! It’s a long list.
I usually call it being a cheapskate, but I would be open to using hipster instead. 😉
I would almost agree except for the following-Hipsters seem to spend money certain things like: leather goods, street bikes, cute glasses, and trips. None of those are cheap. So, maybe it’s just skillful reallocation of purchasing monies. Hmmm….