I'm getting into web development and design. I have been interested in this for years and am jumping in with both feet now (as a side gig...I have extra time at work, plus spare time).
I had played with the idea of becoming a CMS-free developer (thinking one-page responsive and parallax scrolling sites). However, after more thought, I decided I will learn a more valuable skillset, faster, more dynamically, by developing using wordpress. Besides the fact that it's simple enough to develop (use template and tweak) a bare-bones one page site in the future if I wanted to.
I love parallax scrolling effects, and I think they sell really well ("here are some projects I've done...").
Now to wordpress. I now have a domain name and hosting through GoDaddy, installed wordpress, purchased the Intense wordpress plugin (for many things including parallax scrolling). I'm finding this plugin tough to use with free wordpress themes (even a one-page responsive theme), probably because I'm a beginner.
Question: Is it worth it to pay $100 for theme+plugin with a very helpful video using this exact theme/plugin? I'm thinking yes, go ahead and buy it, cheap education.
The plugin looks like it'd be very easy to use and build many different types of sites with (for a portfolio), plus I've already learned a ton by watching this video (how to use Inspect Element and edit templates).
Oh yeah...WNB without booze
Edit: Or, if there are any guys out there who know the industry, do I go with Themify?