Cait Flanders, the author of “The Year of Less”, talks about building $30k of consumer debt, challenging herself to go two years without shopping, and learning how to be comfortable in her own skin without the distractions of consumerism.
- When did Cait start blogging, and how did she start writing her book?
- How did Cait build $30k of debt?
- How did her Dad’s interest in money and finance influence Cait?
- Did the disorder and discontent in Cait’s finances manifest itself in other aspects of her life?
- How did Cait get started paying off her debt, and saving?
- What motivated Cait to move from a minimal savings rate, to a more effective and sustainable savings rate?
- What was Cait spending 90% of her salary on?
- Would Cait qualify her former self as a shopaholic?
- Did Cait get any negative responses from her immediate support circle?
- What were the rules of Cait’s “Shopping Ban”?
- The two hardest things in the first few months: no take-out coffee, no books.
- What filled up the time and space that had previously been filled with shopping?
- Cait decluttered during her two-year shopping ban: why?
- How many pieces of clothing does Cait use now?
- If you own something, do you have to own it forever?
- Did the shopping ban include anything besides physical items?
- What spurred Cait on to learn life skills that help her insource some of the tasks and activities that she had previously ignored, or paid for?
- How did changing spending and consuming habits impact Cait’s health?
- Advice would Cait give to someone who wants to live with less:
- Take inventory of the things you own the most of in your home.
- Tell the people in your daily life, and make sure there’s at least one person who will encourage you to make a good decision.
- Become more resourceful.
- Ask yourself if you really need to own something.
- If you’re unhappy about something, track it to see where you’re at.
Links to things mentioned in this episode:
The Year of Less, by Cait Flanders
“The difference between being good with money and bad with money”, by David Cain
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