You could always just learn how to flash ROMs, find the image for the older version and flash it back to what it was. You won't save any data if you just toss the phone so I guess there's nothing on the phone you care about saving, but you can back up everything if you prefer (see
Backing up an Android Device). Then flash the older version, root, and it won't update.
(Their [all cellphone manufacturers] business model is to cater to the larger audience, and most people wouldn't mind 6 new versions a year - they want the latest thing the moment they can get it. For people to whom the phone is just a tool with which to do business, that's the path to madness and bankruptcy - but you're a small audience, so the manufacturers don't care.)