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

Cait Flanders

Jan 2018 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Cait Flanders

About this audiobook

In her late twenties, 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 twelve 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.

Ratings and reviews

I found this to be so much more than a book about spending less money. It was a story of undergoing change in the face of a deeply ingrained personal and societal habit - with the habit in this case being empty consumerism. Change is hard work, but possible and ultimately very rewarding, as demonstrated by the author's story. I think my favourite line in the book was "putting less energy into the friendships with people who didn’t understand me gave me more energy to put into the friendships with people who did." Word. An enjoyable, life-affirming read.

Expected advice, bored by authors life story. Thought this was something like Marie Kondo and minimalism. Instead it's just a sad tale that I don't find relatable.

i love this book, very inspirational, made me want to change financial situation...i would listen/read it again

About the author

Cait Flanders is a former binge consumer turned mindful consumer of everything. Through personal stories, she writes about what happens when money, minimalism, and mindfulness cross paths. Cait's story has been shared on Oprah.com, Forbes, Yahoo!, the Guardian, the Globe and Mail, and CBC News.