On-line savings account

Abstract

An on-line savings page for managing a savings account includes a list of items the user is saving for, where each item has a specified priority. A savings rate for each item is determined by the savings account based on the priority and total savings rate. The user is notified of any changes in the savings account, such as price changes, inventory changes, etc., as well as relevant information related to the item, such as sales, offers, recalls, etc.

1 . A method for managing savings on-line, comprising:
 receiving information corresponding to a plurality of items a user wishes to save for; and   presenting the user with an on-line savings account page, the savings account page comprising:
 a first priority for a first one of the items; 
 a second priority for a second one of the items; 
 a first savings rate for the first one of the items; and 
 a second savings rate for the second one of the item, wherein the first and second savings rates are automatically determined from the first and second priorities and a total savings rate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second savings rates are further determined by a cost of the first and second one of the items. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically changing the first savings rate when at least one of price, priority, or quantity is changed for the first one of the items. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the priorities are selected from a limited list of priorities. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the savings account page further comprises a link to purchase a corresponding one of the items. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the user when a savings goal has been reached or is within a predetermined period of being reached. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the user of a change to the savings account page. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the notifying comprises a text message, an email, or a phone call. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the savings account page further comprises a link to a merchant offering the lowest cost for a corresponding one of the items. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising processing a payment when one of the items is to be purchased by the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically changing the savings account page when a parameter of one of the items and/or the total savings rate changes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the user when one of the items has low inventory, a price increase, a price decrease, a sale price, or a special offer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the notifying comprises sending the user information about a specific merchant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the savings account page is linked to an account of the user with a payment provider. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the savings account page further comprises a search function for locating and selecting at least one of the items. 
     
     
         16 . An on-line savings account page, comprising:
 a list of items a user is saving for;   a first priority for a first one of the items;   a second priority for a second one of the items;   a first savings rate for the first one of the items; and   a second savings rate for the second one of the item, wherein the first and second savings rates are automatically determined from the first and second priorities and a total savings rate.   
     
     
         17 . The savings account page of  claim 16 , further comprising a link to purchase a corresponding one of the items. 
     
     
         18 . The savings account page of  claim 16 , further comprising a search function for locating and selecting at least one of the items for the list. 
     
     
         19 . The savings account page of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of items is represented by a picture. 
     
     
         20 . A method for managing an on-line savings account for a user, comprising:
 determining, by a payment provider processor, a savings rate for an item based on a priority of the item and a total savings rate; and   processing payment for the item.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising automatically changing the savings rate when at least one of price, priority, or quantity is changed for the item. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing a link to purchase the item. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising notifying the user when a savings goal for the item has been reached or is within a predetermined period of being reached. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising notifying the user of a change to the savings account. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the notifying comprises transmitting a text message, an email, or a phone call. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising notifying the user when the item has low inventory, a price increase, a price decrease, a sale price, or a special offer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the notifying comprises sending the user information about a specific merchant. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the savings account is linked to an account of the user with the payment provider. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing a search function for locating and selecting the item.