Live More, Buy Less -- My resolution to buy NOTHING for the next 365 days

I am starting this blog as a place to document my adventure: my decision to step off the endless cycle of work --> money --> stuff --> no money --> work that has come to define our existence in modern society.

I want to clarify that I am not an anarchist, a communist, or any other "-ist" out there. I am simply looking to try out a different approach to life, one in which I am not defined by what I own, and in which I feel empowered to define for myself what it is that I truly "need" and what it is that makes me happy.

I worry about the world we live in, about the values that we are passing onto the next generation of young people and about the environmental damage we are doing to our planet with our endless thirst for cheap stuff. I've decided that buying nothing for a year will:

1. Help me reconsider my needs and wants and learn about what really matters to me.
2. Reduce my ecological footprint.
3. Lead me to change my spending patterns so that I can focus more on having memorable experiences with the people I love rather than on collecting STUFF. This should ultimately help me to...
4. Live more and buy less!

The Rules:

1. Consumables, things like food, etc. are ok -- I am not turning into a dumpster-diver or subsistence farmer.
2. I will monitor my use of necessary consumer products (everyday things like toothpaste or toilet paper) and try to reduce and replace with less costly and environmentally friendly options whenever possible.
3. My one loophole will be eBooks, subscriptions to publications, etc. To me, these consist of experiences and education, and are not consumer products per say. I will try my best to buy only electronic versions to reduce my environmental impact, and the clutter in my life.
4. Streaming services like Netflix are ok, buying actual DVDs or CDs is not.
5. I will not accept gifts either, unless they are consumable (e.g. a bottle of wine, homemade cookies), consist of experiences (a meal out, a weekend away, a massage, an eBook) or are second-hand hand-me-downs.
6. Bartering for stuff in exchange for things I already own is ok, e.g. clothing swaps.

What do you think of my rules? Is there anything I should change or add? Let me know what you think in the comments section -- I'll be sure to think it over and respond.