Books 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 (Author)

"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 is a memoir documenting the author's year-long challenge to stop shopping for anything except consumable essentials like groceries, toiletries, and gas. Cait, who was caught in a cycle of consumerism despite having paid off significant debt, decided to see what would happen if she committed to buying less and decluttering her life.

Throughout the year, she not only stopped spending on new things but also gave away about 70% of her belongings, learned to fix things instead of replacing them, researched sustainable living practices like zero waste, and even eliminated television from her life. This personal experiment became a powerful journey of self-discovery where Cait confronted her habits tied to shopping, alcohol, and food—vices she had relied on during difficult times.