The Year of Less Audiobook By Cait Flanders 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 Feel-Good

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)

What listeners say about The Year of Less

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Honest Storytelling Inspiring Personal Journey Genuine Voice Relatable Life Experiences Vulnerable Memoir
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Epitome of Vulnerability

Lived this book for the honesty, vulnerability, and openess. Extremely motivating. and inspiring. Highly recommend!

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great life lessons, financial advice & motivation

I really loved this book, so much heart and great wisdom from this writer. I hope to read more from her soon.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great inspirational memoir

I’m very impressed by the idea of a shopping ban. I have attempted to reduce spending but this really shows a roadmap for making essentials lists, etc. and sticking to them. I am going to do a shopping ban for three months. This is going to be fun!

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some good lessons and reminders

I listened to this book while driving to Houston and back, and I have no regrets for listening. I learned some new tips, but also found that many of the situations were not necessarily relevant to my life, age and personal experience. for example, when you have a husband of more than 20 years and a 20 year old son with special needs, your outlook is going to be completely different. That said, I got a couple of good giggles imagining myself in Kate's shoes, I'm going through a life change of learning how to do more with less and this book was most helpful!

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WOW

To say this book spoke to me would be an understatement! If you have ever struggled with that voice in your head that constantly lists off reasons of why you NEED material things to be happier and have looked for a way to better yourself and your life by not being a prisoner to those "things", well then, this is the book for you. Cait Flanders is a calming voice of reason in my most of time jumbled mind. I know i cant be the only one who feels this way, so if the description of this book peaks your interest in the slightest, or you think man that sounds cool!, then do yourself a favor and READ it!!!

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Increíble!

De los mejores libros que me crucé últimamente.
Sumamente inspirador. Y útil.
Dan ganas de intentarlo 😬

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Valley Girl Upspeak

Cait has written a great account of her one year shopping ban and seems like a very intelligent young lady. That being said, I found it a real struggle to get through this book because of her narration. Her Valley Girl Upspeak is just painful. I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had been read by someone else.

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Living with less is thought provoking

I just finished listening to this and find the idea of a shopping ban to be intriguing. I think I'm going to do this with some modifications. I like the idea of tailoring it so that it's not a complete "off limits" for everything. That's usually what makes me shy away from these types of activities. I've already started my "ok to purchase" list!

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Fantastic!

This book was great. It really made reflect on my own actions and values. I enjoyed listening to Cait’s journey through this chapter of her life it was very inspiring.

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Something you didn’t know you needed

I’ve always been interested by the idea of clearing out your physical space, your mental space and your internet space, I just never really knew or understood how and why. This book was something I didn’t know how much I needed to hear.

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