The Year of Less 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.The challenge became a lifeline when, in the course of the year, Cait found herself in situations that turned her life upside down. In the face of hardship, she realized why she had always turned to shopping, alcohol, and food-and what it had cost her. Unable to reach for any of her usual vices, she changed habits she'd spent years perfecting and discovered what truly mattered to her.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.

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

Here are some of the things Cait Flanders has opted out of in the past 10 years: * Drinking, when she decided to get completely sober, at the age of 27. * Living with debt, when she finished paying off $30,000 of it and vowed: never again. * Working in an office, when she quit to work for herself. * Having a lot of stuff, when she decluttered and got rid of 80-85% of it. * Having a home, when she decided to fully embrace her nomadic lifestyle. In ADVENTURES IN OPTING OUT, Flanders offers a trail map to following her example and building a slow, mindful, minimalist life that emphasizes the beauty of the natural world, the importance of real human connection, the joys of travel, and the happiness that comes from living an intentional life in harmony with your own values. Choosing to opt out is a brave decision, and ultimately an infinitely rewarding one. But that doesn't mean it's easy. There will be hardships along the way -- relationships questioned, demons faced, addictions confronted -- but with Flanders's guidance and advice, drawn from her own journey and examples of others who have picked the road less traveled, you'll have all the encouragement and insight you'll need to build a life of purpose, fulfillment, and adventure.