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  • 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
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (220 ratings)

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The Year of Less

By: Cait Flanders
Narrated by: Cait Flanders
Free with 2 month trial

AUD $16.45/mo after 2 months. Renews automatically. Cancel anytime.

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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)

What listeners say about The Year of Less

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    130
  • 4 Stars
    52
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    22
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    12
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  • 4 Stars
    46
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    44
  • 3 Stars
    22
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    6

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Didn't love it

I was recommended this book by an instagram I follow which is along the lines of minimalism, self improvement and living a stress free, simple life. This book unfortunately didn't make me feel inspired at all, it felt like I was listening to a friend complain about her life troubles for hours and didn't actually gain any helpful or inspiring tips. Did not finish it but tried hard to get through as much as I could.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not particularly inspiring

Would you try another book written by Cait Flanders or narrated by Cait Flanders?

Unlikely

Would you be willing to try another book from Cait Flanders? Why or why not?

Not likely, the book was not particularly inspiring or engaging. I am not sure what I expected but it was more a personal story of self discovery then the actual process of minimising. Throughout her life she had repeated challenged addiction (and good on her) I just didn't find the book inspiring.

What didn’t you like about Cait Flanders’s performance?

The narrator was quite monotone and lacked enthusiasm and animation

Did The Year of Less inspire you to do anything?

Nope

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

90% story 10% information

Not what I expected. Felt like 90% story and 10% useful information. Some of the diversions into her life story were unnecessary and dragged on. If you've downloaded it already and are struggling to finish skip to chapter 15 and get the short version of the useful information.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Relatable and applicable.

Having listened to the author’s podcast Honest Money Conversations (fka Budgets and Cents, I think) and reading the occasional blog post, I was surprised at how Flanders really went all in with sharing her story that I hadn’t known that much of before. I listened to this twice over Summer and appreciated hearing about how she figured out some tricky life lessons. She takes the listener (reader) on a journey through figuring out what really mattered in many aspects of her life, and how she journeyed to better financial freedom and clarity by stripping back her spending and challenging herself not to buy any non-essentials. I’d recommend this to anyone interested in simple living, careful spending, navigating adult-hood, minimalism, travel, or just hearing someone’s wonderful story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Glad I listened

I liked Cait's honesty, and it gives me motivation to try something similar. I also enjoyed how she didn't delve into the story of her parent's separation, as it's unrelated to what her book is really about. I appreciate her Marie Kondo references, and am glad to hear at the end everything sounds like it has worked out very well for her. Well done Cait! An easy listen.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

More of a biography than a guided book

Unfortunately, the tone of voice is so monotone and a little depressing to listen to.
I was expecting this audiobook to have some tips and be guided in a sense, but it’s more about the authors life story and her struggles in life. Just didn’t hit the mark for me

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A bit average

The story was ok, however it wasn’t very inspiring, and the author/narrators voice was hard to listen to. It was pretty dull overall

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Something to ponder!

As a shopping addict who has tried numerous ways to curb spending, this book and Caits approach has given me so many tools to use in a more practical way.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Good message but very dull

I kept waiting for this to get interesting and it just didn’t. The narrator sounded just as bored reading it aloud. It sounded like a friend complaining at you for hours, I just can’t believe this was structured like a story when the stakes were so low and the turning points so mild (e.g. her parents divorce when she’s an adult). Sounds like the author has some excellent friends and support around her, and the message is fine (Chapter 15) but this felt very bland, lacking in substance.
Most of the stuff you’re buying you don’t need, and most of the stuff you own you could throw out. That’s the book.
Do it, but you can skip the tedious backstory.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Reasonably interesting, not exactly unique

Let me start by saying anyone encouraging people to consume more mindfully is doing a good thing in my book, so Cait hits that one on the head. However, maybe because I’m already well along the path to a life lived less on autopilot, her revelations weren’t exactly new to me, which I knew heading in and was mostly interested in her story. The personal story definitely is what brought this book up to 3 stars in my mind, without it I’m not sure I’d have been able to give more than 2 for the financial advice aspect alone. This could be a great book for those just starting their journey towards a more intentional life, but if you’re well on your way it might be a bit “heard it before” for you.

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