The Year of Less

Could you go a whole year without shopping?In her late twenties, that's exactly what Cait Flanders did. Despite having cleared nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, she still struggled to save money. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy, she embarked on a year-long shopping ban.The Year of Less documents the 12 months during which Cait spent money only on the essentials - food, bills, car fuel - and steadily cleared out 70 per cent of her belongings. She learned to make do and mend, imposed a television ban and researched the zero waste movement.The results were profoundly transformative: the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt. In the process of decluttering her apartment, she also decluttered her life and overcame long-held toxic habits.With advice and practical tips from Cait, 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.'For your friend who has already Kondo'd her cupboards after reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, The Year of Less will inspire them to do the same to their finances.' Metro'What is an incredible personal journey is also a stark reminder of how materialistic many of us have become. The Year of Less will certainly change your perspective on how you spend your money.'The Independent

Auteur
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 in The New York Times, The Guardian, the Daily Mail and Vogue, and on Oprah.com, Forbes.com and more. She inspires people to consume less and live more. Cait is from Victoria, BC, Canada, but spends most of her time exploring the world. www.caitflanders.com

Résumé
Millennial Cait Flanders embarked on a 12-month shopping ban, limiting herself to only purchasing essential items, in order to save over half of her income and learn how little she actually needed to get by. In the process, she just may have discovered the key to profound and lasting happiness.