Automated system for managing baby care products

A computer-based online system for managing a plurality of recurring purchase accounts, comprising:

• a memory that stores at least the following:
• a contribution manager that causes the computer-based online system to process a first request to contribute a specified amount to a recurring purchase account selected from the plurality of purchase accounts, the first request including a category of baby care products to apply the specified amount;
• and
• a balance manager that causes the computer-based online system to receive a second request from a user associated with the recurring purchase account to apply at least a portion of an amount available in the recurring purchase account toward a purchase of a specified item, wherein the balance manager further causes the computer-based online system to determine whether the specified item is a product in the category of baby care products associated with the recurring purchase account, and wherein only in response to determining that the specified item is a product in the category of baby care products associated with the recurring purchase account, the balance manager causes the computer-based online system to grant the second request,
• wherein each of the plurality of recurring purchase accounts is associated with a respective one of a plurality of users, and wherein each of the plurality of recurring purchase accounts is for use with a particular category of baby care products.

A method for managing a plurality of recurring purchase accounts, comprising:

• processing, by a computing device, a first request to contribute a specified amount to a recurring purchase account selected from the plurality of purchase accounts, the first request including a category of baby care products to apply the specified amount;
• receiving a second request from a user associated with the recurring purchase account to apply at least a portion of an amount available in the recurring purchase account toward a purchase of a specified item;
• determining whether the specified item is a product in the category of baby care products associated with the recurring purchase account;
• only in response to determining that the specified item is a product in the category of baby care products associated with the recurring purchase account, granting the second request;
• and
• receiving from the user a financial goal that is based on a desired duration of use for the category of baby care products and wherein upon receiving the first request to contribute a specified amount to a recurring purchase account, the balance manager further causes the computer-based online system to calculate a remaining duration for meeting the financial goal,
• wherein each of the plurality of recurring purchase accounts is associated with a respective one of a plurality of users, and wherein each of the plurality of recurring purchase accounts is for use with a particular category of baby care products.