Just to clarify: "the easy way", in the real world, is the way that you can get done, and up and running, immediately. "The easy way" is not the way that would be easier if you just figured out how to do it - don't go down that rabbit hole!
If you have to choose between the clever way and the way you know, do it the easy way, and get it working. You can always come back and be clever later on.