The Year without a Purchase: One Family's Quest to Stop Shopping and Start Connecting Paperback – August 4, 2015

I ordered this last summer when it showed up somewhere as a a link for me to consider. SO glad that I clicked through, read the overview and hit the "add to cart" button. When it arrived, I was in between books so this one was read almost immediately. Holy smokes, I have not stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen. It was approachable, enlightening, humorous, and one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while. The intermingling of societal observations with personal experience and underscored by a spiritual or biblical reference was balanced and perfect. Scott's self deprecating humor is exactly what I can relate to which is why I laughed out loud (and I have a really really loud laugh) throughout the book. The opening paragraph related to American Girls and Barbie is still quoted by me today whenever I can work it into a conversation which I've managed to do more than I expected I could. When I ordered the book, I mistakenly ordered 2 copies and instead of returning one, I chose to give it to my sister for Christmas. She read it and we have had numerous discussions over what each of us has absorbed from it. I highly highly recommend this book. Will be a keeper for me.

I've read a couple other books about living simply or "A Year" of doing this or that, and Dannemiller's is a great combination of practical, spiritual, and insightful reflections about the ways most of us live and purchase purchase purchase. I loved hearing about his experiences using his daughter's purple suitcase all year on business trips (his broke), realizing he's been overeating (ice cream, cheese, cereal) to compensate for the loss of retail therapy, creating gifts for birthday parties and Christmas from "scratch,"and the "Jesus" gift at Christmas (which I hadn't heard about before). It was humanizing that he could also be honest that a few times he and his wife broke down because the HAD to buy a certain item (the vacuum couldn't be repaired, for instance). Also, it was fascinating to read about their decision NOT to tell their kids what they were doing, but just to go ahead and see if their kids noticed, really. The one awkward bit for me was that I thought Dannermiller's writing was a bit too packed with jokes and snarky comments - many were funny, but because there were so many, they sort of crowded the text.

Dannemiller has a true gift for storytelling in way that is humorous and relatable. The chronicle of his family’s year spent consuming less and connecting more is a unique blend of humor, faith, and thoughtful reflection. He offers interesting research that helps tell the story of his own observations and experiences, helping readers grasp the “why” behind our obsession with shopping and consuming things. While this book will challenge you to think about your own life and the important concept of “want vs. need”, it is done in a very down to earth style and will definitely keep you laughing along the way.Whether you are looking to change your own spending and consuming or not, this is a great read and provides insightful observations about connecting in meaningful ways with family and friends as well our broader human community.

Oh my goodness...I LOVED this book! I'm so not a book reader (let alone a book reviewer), just never had the time. But this book right here, oh my. It had my wheels turning, made me laugh out loud (literally), and at times gave me goosebumps from head to toe. Seriously a good read, even if you're not the book reading kind. Not sure I could pull off the entire challenge (maybe I'll create my own though), but I have all sorts of new ideas to introduce my family to now. This was such a humbling read, it made me question a lot of things and look forward to doing other things. Some of the ideas, like giving experiences for birthdays, we adopted a while back and is still totally worth it. Having children myself, I could really relate to some of the stories and examples he shares. The book is written in a down to earth, point blank kind of way, no sugar coating (which I appreciate). I know quite a few families that could benefit from such a book, I imagine there are many others out there as well.

This is actually Clint L’s wife (who shares his account ;). I was literally wheezing, crying, and laughing all at the same time to the description of taking Mom out to the Cottage Cafe for her birthday! Laughing because of “uterus shaped bags” and lost retired electricians draped in gingham napkins, eating pimento cheese crackers. Crying because, being a mom of a married son, my heart yearns for more experience-based gifts. One year for Christmas I asked for a family Bookclub - which has been going strong for 4 years now. This book made me pledge that I will think of experience-based gifts before giving a Amazon prime gift - especially for family and close friends. It also made me want to put more fun spontaneous service in my life. It made me look deep inside and wonder what my values are and am I living up to them? Thank you for taking on this challenge and writing about it in a light-yet deep-hearted way.

The Year Without a Purchase: One Family's Quest to Stop Shopping and Start Connecting by Scott Dannemiller. At first, I thought this was a howto book, but it's more like a diary of a family trying to avoid buying unnecessary items. My mistake for expecting a howto guide, so I was a bit disappointed. However, if you're interested in reading about a family's journey to stop shopping and start connecting, you might enjoy it. my scores is 6/10

This has opened my mind as I had been thinking for the last few months that spending money on items that I do not need and that do not make me happy. This family made a change so maybe I can to! Thank you!

Este libro me ha enseñado cómo se puede pasar un año sin comprar nada excepto lo más esencial y cómo darle más importancia a los detalles que no cuestan dinero.

Recommended for anyone who feels overwhelmed with "stuff" and anyone who needs to reassess their purchasing patterns and motives.Reflective and funny. Quick read.

Was a good book, not quite how I thought would be

If this book didn't have so many bible and Jesus references, I would have given it 5 stars. I found myself skipping parts to get through all the bible references . The author writes with good humour though, and there are good lessons and information to take on board. However, as before - if I knew it was based on religious drive, I would not have purchased the book. I reccommdnd this book for Christian families who need a real life story on what it is like to stop buying stuff & how it affects every day interactions with family and friends.