The Year of Less

How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

By: Cait Flanders

Narrated by: Cait Flanders

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In her late 20s, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy - only keeping her from meeting her goals - she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.

The Year of Less documents Cait's life for 12 months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero-waste movement; and completed a television ban.

At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt. Blending Cait's compelling story with inspiring insight and practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you're holding on to in your own life - and, quite possibly, lead you to find your own path of less.

©2018 Cait Flanders (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"If you've ever felt there must be more to life than consumerism and its vicious cycle, you'll find inspiration to break free in The Year of Less. Cait's highly readable and personal story is encouraging, challenging, and unbelievably helpful." (Joshua Becker, author of The More of Less)

gentle lessons from a wise friend

I enjoyed hearing the author’s voice narrating her own story — she has a gentle, kind voice that was paralleled in the narrative... it was all so cohesive and genuine, as she mentions how her family lived in a smaller town where people live less busy, simpler, more focused lives, and that’s exactly the mood and atmosphere that her writing and her voice help build. Her writing style was slow and affectionately simple, and she began to feel more like a wise friend telling me stories about her life than some blogger spouting truisms and platitudes - which separates this book from any other self help book book I’ve read. It’s definitely worth a listen.

Loved it!

Would you listen to The Year of Less again? Why?

I really loved it, and I will definitely be reading it again. There is so much in it that made me think about what mattered most to me, and it really made me think of where my money goes and why. I ordered the hard copy as well, I liked it so much!

More of an audiobiography than a guide

Overall, enjoyed the narrator - but this was not what I expected from the book. I wanted this to be more of a "how to do a shopping ban." This is touched on, but largely its an audiobiograpy on what else was happening in her life each month of the year-long shopping ban. She also goes into detail about how she dealt with other hardships (alcohol use, her parents divorce), which is not what I wanted from this book. Good book for some people, but it wasn't for me, I didn't find it very helpful as I wanted something more instructional on how to follow a shopping ban.

I'm only reviewing this because they're making me

every time I log in and want to look at a new book, they make me review this book before I can go any place so I am

NeededThis

I loved this book and plan to use the ideas as soon as I possibly can.

excellent

loved it. just truth and openness. very inspiring. I intend to put together a similar journey and look forward to joining the Cait Flanders community.

Great insight and inspiration

This book and author has inspired me to consider my own shopping ban. I do not think I could do a 12 month ban, as the author does, but I’m seriously considering a 90 day project. One of my goals for this year is to pay off the $1500 of store credit card debt that I have. I think that being super conscientious with my money will help me with that. While I already consider myself to already be a smart shopper, maximizing sales and coupons, I do have quite a stock pile of a variety of items, especially toiletries, cleaning supplies, books, art supplies and clothes. I do not *need* to buy much more than food and gas at the moment. In align with the KonMari method, during my 90 day challenge, I will clear out unused/unusable clutter and only buy things that spark joy. I’m anxious and excited about my own shopping ban, but feel supported by Cait’s story in being able to do so.

loved it

I appreciated the authors openess when sharing personal things about her life. Now that I have caught a glimpse through her eyes, I can see a little more clearly through my own.

More like an autobiography

Didn't really get anything valuable from this book. It's just telling life story of her later twenties basically. No real wisdom to speak of.

Easy listen.

Thoroughly enjoyed the author, her story and her voice. The book was a little less about shopping bans than the title insinuates, but brings so much more than expected. Relatable and encouraging.