This book is so relevant for our time. We are consuming new items at such rapid rates. I definitely bring more into my house than I take out. I've been on my own journey of decluttering as well as striving to pay off debt. This book motivated me to look past marketing schemes and see the potential of what I already have. I don't have to have more stuff to be happy. I can borrow what I might need from a neighbor or friend. I can survive perfectly fine without matching decor or the latest fashion trends. I recommend this book to anyone looking for tips to spend less and be happy with what you have.

This book was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. No New Things isn’t just about quitting shopping—it’s about waking up. Ashlee Piper breaks down the subtle but powerful ways consumerism creeps into our lives, distracts us, drains us, and keeps us stuck in cycles we don’t even realize we’re in.

What I appreciated most is how real and accessible her voice is. She doesn’t preach or shame—she just lays it out with humor, honesty, and a serious dose of practicality. Her 30-day challenge is refreshingly simple but packs a surprising punch. Each daily action is manageable, but by the end, they add up to a totally new way of seeing the world (and yourself).

It’s not just about saving money (though I did). It’s about gaining clarity. I noticed how much time I was wasting on scrolling and impulse buying, how easily I justified purchases I didn’t need, and how heavy all that clutter—physical and mental—really was. This book helped me reclaim my time, my energy, and my space.

Ashlee’s stories about her own journey made it feel personal and doable. I also loved how she ties in sustainability and how individual choices can support something much bigger. But even if you're not an environmentalist, the benefits are undeniable—more freedom, more peace, more intentionality.

No New Things isn’t just a guide—it’s a mindset shift. And it’s one I’ll be carrying with me far beyond the 30 days.

This book is great at hitting on the usual things you can expect from a declutter book: fix your life, fix your home, fix your face. The addition of decluttering electronic life is also nice, but I felt that this book didn't add anything new to the overall decluttering genre. Still a great and informative book, I was just looking for something new to the topic.

This is the most action-oriented and encouraging book focused on intentional consumerism that I've read since The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The book begins with background and a few relevant stats for how much Americans consume (and waste) and what deleterious effects that behavior is having on our wallets, mental health, and the planet. Piper manages to deliver these gloomy messages in a positive light, however, because she tells you how you can take a different approach starting with her 30 day No New Things Challenge. Each day of the challenge is presented as a chapter and you are given a specific action item and relevant information and context for how the action will change your mindset towards shopping and mindlessly accumulating stuff. Although I did not follow the prescribed 30-day challenges, I did thoroughly enjoy reading the book and it did motivate me to reflect on my "things" consumption and to take action. Throughout the book Piper's tone is positive and encouraging, and she maps out ways to make do the 30 day challenge in a way that works for you.

While reading this book I was motivated to:
+ list good-condition unwanted clothes on a clothing resale site
+ unsubscribe from unwanted catalogs
+ list unwanted items in online "free" groups instead of making a donation drop off
+ find a shoe repair shop to have a pair of shoes repaired to make them last longer
+ shop used-goods websites to browse for items I want instead of shopping new
+ make use of gift cards to make purchases
+ think about focusing on gifting experiences instead of "things"
+ and make the recommended "Needs List" and "Love List"

I think I will continue to be motivated to keep up these habits! I would recommend this book to anyone who: enjoyed The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, enjoys thinking about conscious consumerism, feels overwhelmed by the stuff they have, or wonders if their relationship to shopping might not be the healthiest.

Good informations & advice in organizing not only yourself, home and lifestyle. How to declutter items out your life and not just physically but electronically

Ashlee Piper has written a great book at the right time. No new things is part historical, part actionable. I am grateful for the blueprint provided to be intentional with spending and overconsumption. If you struggle in these areas, please grab a copy of No New Things.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I actually really enjoyed this! It toes the line between facts and tips well. I didn't realize going in that this was in large part a day by day guide to an actual 30 day challenge, and while I didn't participate in said challenge while I was reading, I still got something out of it. This is also a funny book, but it's funny in a way that I don't think will hold up very well 5 - 10 years from now. The idea of consuming less and being more mindful of literally everything really appeals to me and I think this book and others like it are very important. Definitely recommend.

I am doing a no buy this year and found this very helpful. Very specific four week game plan with actions to support no buy and change habits. Very comprehensive!

Yes, at first glance it is another get your shit together book, but once you get into it you realize that it is much more. Piper doesn't just give you a roadmap and encourage you to declutter, she explains, historically, why we end up buying so much stuff that we become overwhelmed with crap and debt. This book is so much more than a challenge to not spend money. It is an educational lesson that helps you shift your brain into understanding how you got to where you are, how to make the changes you can, and how to maintain those changes while living a happy and fulfilled life.

Over the years, I have read many books on decluttering, organizing, and working on my finances. None of them has ever touched on the historical grooming of overconsumption like Piper does. She also understands and empathizes with those who may have a more difficult time with this challenge. This book is a guide intended to help you clear out your excess and shift your mindset, but it is also a guide that is flexible and malleable because doing a no new things challenge is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing.

I'm not sure what I expected from this but I think in general, I quickly realized this wasn't for me (I am not the biggest shopper). So, I had a lot of skimming. But, I would love a deeper dive into the thoughts on consumerism and community. Specifically the thoughts around borrowing and gifting/paying forward. I think we are in such a difficult economical time and being a villager right now by sharing resources is going to get us through. All that to say, I think a lot of my habits are similar to what exists in this text already but it still provoked some thoughts for me which was really nice. I enjoyed the way it is written!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from No New Things, but it turned out to be way more inspiring and practical than I imagined! Ashlee Piper’s journey of buying nothing new for nearly two years sounds daunting at first, but she breaks it down in a way that makes it feel totally doable. The book is packed with relatable stories and honest reflections about how consumerism has taken over our lives without us even realizing it. I really appreciated how Piper doesn’t make you feel guilty for past habits – instead, she encourages small, manageable changes that can make a big difference. Plus, her witty, no-nonsense tone makes it feel like you’re chatting with a friend who just gets it.

What I loved most is how the book isn’t just about spending less – it’s about reclaiming your time, mental space, and well-being. The daily challenges are practical and customizable, making it easy to incorporate them into your own life without feeling overwhelmed. Piper also dives into the mental and financial freedom that comes with consuming less, which made me rethink my own habits. If you’re tired of feeling bogged down by stuff or just want to simplify your life, this book is a great place to start. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fresh perspective on mindful living!

It was tough reading this one because of the size of the print. I hope the end product is more readable.

I liked the premise of No New Things, as this is how I got myself out of debt years ago. It's not really a new concept, but the writer had an engaging style that bordered on the "hey girlllll" feel of some of the new self-help books. I don't particularly care for that, but many do. I liked that there was a well-defined timeline of how to ease into this practice without a big shock.

I'd recommend this to folks who are completely lost, but for me it was a lot of common sense things. I did like that the author came at it from the perspective of changing your thinking around why you buy things. I think that is smart, addressing the root cause of why you buy.

An informative guide to how to buy nothing.Step by step easy to follow learned and enjoyed will be recommending.#netgalley #celadon

Even though I already knew and tried to live out a lot of advice on this book, it’s still full of important information and great reminders. It has practical daily tips (breaking down tasks so the process doesn’t feel overwhelming), as well as detailed explanations for why one should consider the No New Things challenge in the first place. What sets this book apart is the prompts to consider when and why we over-consume; I found the questions thoughtful and helpful. Piper’s tone is approachable, but the slang and profanity may bother some readers. Overall, I think it’s a useful book, especially for someone just starting on the journey of recognizing the problem of over-consuming and trying to curb their impulses.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This book is cross-posted to Goodreads and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram within a week of the book’s publication.

I absolutely adore this book. It is flexible and understanding, and it builds challenges in a way that is logical and useful. I will be recommending it left and right.

I love this book. Finally, a financial advice, budgeting book that isn't a long, unrelatable story about the author's story or personal journey. Yes, the author had one, but it's short or said in purposeful examples. This gets straight to the point with this program. I felt the book totally gets me as someone who is seeking to stop buying things. It looks at the history, psychology, different personal reasonings of why you or people shop...it is very specific about buying needs vs wants, budgeting, and also I like how the program "No New Things" also has steps or objectives by week, along with daily tasks, so you have a goal to work on as you try not to buy new things for a month....or more, instead of just sitting there and trying not to buy new things and being bored. I would totally buy this book...well, I will. I had an opportunity to review the ARC.

While I was able to enjoy this, new concepts were not introduced. If you need challenges to get yourself and your things together, this is for you. Poper provides small challenges for various aspects of your home to help create a livable, clutter-free space while also being mindful of purchases and overconsumption.

I had high hopes, but I failed the challenge. Reading this made me realize just how money oriented I am. According to this book many people are.

Interesting and a bit scary when you see that this book can be associated with so many people.

Good information and strategies, but I really cannot stand this writing style. It was really difficult for me to finish because of the author’s tone and style, but I’m glad that I did since there was some good information here!

For nearly two years, Ashlee Piper undertook a commitment to refrain from purchasing new items, leading to profound personal transformation. In her book, No New Things, Piper articulates a challenge that has inspired many individuals to pursue freedom and fulfillment within a mere thirty days. The book presents customizable daily action items aimed at simplifying life through the reduction of unnecessary expenditures without compromising style or enjoyment. Piper's thirty-day challenge invites readers to acquire only essential goods, such as groceries and medications, while fostering an awareness of overconsumption. This methodology proves particularly advantageous for those aspiring to lead a simpler existence or for individuals grappling with excessive shopping behaviors. The book's structure encompasses practical guidance, personal anecdotes, and strategies to reassess one’s interaction with material possessions, rendering it a relatable resource for a wide audience. This book has an approaching writing style and has provided insightful tools for the everyday consumer. It is a book that is easy to read, and allows one to better understand habit formation, and Piper’s goal is to have the reader make a long-lasting habit change. This book, is highly recommended for anyone seeking to declutter his/her life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.