The Year of Less cover art

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

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The Year of Less

By: Cait Flanders
Narrated by: Cait Flanders
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About this listen

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 Personal Development Personal Finance Personal Success Inspiring Heartfelt Memoir Biography

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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)
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Loved this as it got me thinking about the things I could change in my habits whilst enjoying the family story at the same time.

Great motivational book

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I really enjoyed listening to this! I wish it was longer! Please write another book!

Such a great listen!

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Great story and I enjoyed the ideas and concepts. My only disappointment was Cait has deleted her blog posts from the experiment and it would have been nice to read them. However the book was good and I recommend it.

Thought provoking!

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Cait is an absolute inspiration. I have followed minimalist ways for 8 months now, and before I read this book I already had a no spend 6 months. This has inspired me to reevaluate my own habits. Although you never spend to the same extent after a no spend period you can easily be trapped by mindless purchases.

I could completely relate to Cait’s blackout purchases and relationship traumas. I didn’t agree that she poured all of her lotions and potions down the sink but I can see did each step.

An absolute must read. Thank you to Cait for this book.

Absolutely LOVED this book.

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I downloaded Cait's book after having some spare credits available and began to read it. For the first time ever I connected with the message of the book and all of it's content. Cait relays her personal experience with debt, emotions and the constant rat race of consumerism with such poignancy and delicacy. I've been so inspired by the book that I've decided to start with a no spend month. Thank you for this book at a time in my life when it need it most.

A must read for anyone and everyone

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Great book. Very inspiring and soooo honest! I had the audio version and finished it within a few days.

Great book. Very inspiring and soooo honest!

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This wasn’t at all what I expected. I found parts of it slow and I almost gave up. It is definitely more autobiographical and less about actually living with less. I like the fact that Cait narrated the book and the last part which actually gave tips on how to live with less pulled it around. This isn’t my usual genre but if you like autobiographies, then you will probably enjoy this.

Not what I expected.

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I found this book so relaxing to listen to, I got through it really fast. Cait's story is relatable and inspiring and has inspired me to challenge and change my own habits.

inspiring

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Her experience is her own and she tells it so naturally, it's like listening to a friend

Touching

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Loved the honesty and realness to it. It provoked many thoughts and sparked ideas of my way ahead

Very inspiring and thought provoking

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