A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; automatically transferring periodically to said account file depositor funds for use by said customer; limiting the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the limit set for the goods or services to be purchased. view more

The method of claim 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of completing said transfer when sufficient finds have been allocated.

The method of claim 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of discontinuing said transfer when insufficient funds have been allocated.

The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of storing information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.

The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of supplying to said fund depositor said information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.

The method of claim 12, wherein said supplying step is performed periodically.

The method of claim 13, wherein said step is performed weekly or monthly.

The method of claim 9, wherein said funds are deposited periodically.

The method of claim 15, wherein said funds are deposited weekly or monthly.

The method of claim 9, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.

A computer-based method for allocating funds in preestablished accounts for use by customers, comprising: creating for each customer a customer account file containing a record of funds deposited for said customer; setting periodic transaction limits on the amount of funds in said customer account file that may be spent on particular classes of goods and services in response to command instructions from the fund depositor; and verifying each transfer from said customer account file requested by said customer to determine whether the requested funds exceed the transaction limit set for the goods or services to be purchased. view more

The method of claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the step of completing said transfer when sufficient funds have been allocated.

The method of claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the step of discontinuing said transfer when insufficient funds have been allocated.

The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of storing information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.

The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of supplying to said fund depositor said information on fund transferees and corresponding payment amounts.

The method of claim 31, wherein said supplying step is performed periodically.

The method of claim 32, wherein said step is performed weekly or monthly.

The method of claim 28, wherein said funds are deposited periodically.

The method of claim 34, wherein said funds are deposited weekly or monthly.

The method of claim 28, wherein said customer account file is a bank or credit account established in advance in the name of said customer by said fund depositor.