A very timely book, I've seen a lot of internet chatter about no-buy years and reducing our consumption. It does feel like as a society we're kind of reaching a breaking point of consumerism and how that affects our home and our health.

This book did a great job of making me think deeper about why I shop and what drives my impulses. I do think that approach makes this book very impactful and is something that could affect change for people on a deeper level. I'm excited to do the 30 day challenge, it seems like something that will help me build momentum and keep me engaged.

I am on a self imposed reduction of spending, especially for new items, from corporate establishments ( since 1/20/2025). So when I saw this title - I immediately requested it.
Many of the daily challenges I had already conquered if not presently, than during more stressfully economic time (circa 2008-2009). But boy could I have used this tips in my 20’s!
I appreciated Ashlee exploring why we are suckers for advertising, bored shopping and scrolling, but really the environmental impact of overconsumption.
I did think that some of the week three challenges were very ambiguous , especially back to back, and treated them as goals to obtain, or perhaps schedule some vacation time to tackle.
I think people will find value in these steps even without committing to all the steps.

LOVE THIS!! I never want to buy anything ever again (that'd be nice). Ashlee's book is full of humor and wonderful advice to help us get through the urge to buy. There's so much I'll take from it and I'll be recommending it to all of my minimalist friends.

As someone that is always fighting the urge to buy stuff this book felt very up my alley. I thought the information was interesting, and it was cool that the author has a background in marketing that she applied to the book. Although, I did find her writing style a little too yappy. I say this as a certified yapper myself, but this was overkill. Also it was a little annoying when she would be like "it's really heavy, I know" after saying something that is a mild-bummer at most.

This was a timely book for me. After an online-shopping-filled 2024, I decided to drastically curtail spending for 2025. So far, so good. What I appreciated about No New Things was the psychology and manipulation of spending, and the concrete steps one can take to reduce spending and reduce clutter. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Ashlee Piper's No New Things is a great introduction to a sustainable approach to consumerism. She explains and layouts a roadmap for her readers to understand why they shop for new things and brainstorm solutions to getting by without purchasing new items during this month. She includes journal prompts for deeper reflection and interesting anecdotes that highlight how people have met the challenge of "now new things". Overall, her book provides a unique approach to the addictive hobby of shopping.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am constantly trying to hold back the piles of stuff I have in my house and this book was helpful in changing the way I think of things I buy. The No New Things methodology is a great way to stop buying things you honestly don't need but just think you do. I went for one month without buying anything new unnecessarily and I will say that the first two weeks were hard! I find shopping to be comforting sometimes but it really is a bottomless pit if you don't get a hold on it.

I wasn’t sure this book was for me—I didn’t think I had a shopping problem and I’m already pretty organized. But wow, it’s so much more than that. The history of consumerism totally floored me, and the challenge has been surprisingly doable. I’m decluttering, saving money, and learning a lot about my habits. Plus, it’s actually a fun read (and I’m usually a fiction girlie). Definitely worth a try!

In No New Things, Ashlee Piper shares her transformative journey of buying nothing new for two years, leading her to financial freedom, improved well-being, and a simpler, more fulfilling life. Through a 30-day challenge, Piper guides readers to reduce clutter, spend less, and reclaim their time and mental energy—all while living stylishly and sustainably.

This is a great book to inspire a no-buying new items for 30 days that helps with reducing how much we spend, and learning more about how to find things used, borrow, or fix things to save money and be more sustainable. I enjoyed the author's conversational style and tips that are approachable and easy to follow. Overall a nice introduction to why no-buying is important and how to do so in a way that feels positive and possible!

I liked the concept of this book but found it/find it daunting to get started in my own life. Some of the material felt like some advice I had heard before, others were new.

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.