Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier emulates a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. The barrier is made of a light, flexible material that can include nanofiber. Some embodiments are formed from a plurality of interlocked water-filled cells, with a forward-facing water barrier sheet. Other embodiments are unitary shells that are internally divided into cells, with internal openings that permit water to flow between cells. Automatic valves can seal the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A row or rows of cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Cells can include internal or external rods or plates that support the horizontal structure. Embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Barrier end structures can enable interlocking of adjacent units.

Abstract: A method for reserving funds to pay an estimated tax or other financial obligation includes receiving by a service provider of financial information from a customer and transferring funds from a customer monetary source to a set-aside account, where the monetary source and/or the set-aside account is a stored value account. In embodiments, the customer can access the set-aside money if needed before it is used to pay the obligation. The set-aside account can be a stored value card provided to the customer and usable in lieu of a bank card. Stored value cards can be visibly distinct according to which of a plurality of obligations they apply. Or the set-aside account can be a stored value account maintained by the service provider as information in a database. Set-aside funds can be transferred automatically and/or electronically, or provided by the customer as cash or cash equivalents.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for managing funds in anticipation of paying at least two financial obligations, such as an estimated tax payment and a mortgage payment. The due dates and amounts due are determined from customer financial information. During an escrow period leading up to the first obligation due date, amounts of money are transferred on at least two occasions from a customer account into a second account, whereby the combined value of the transferred amounts substantially matches the estimated tax or other amount due for the first obligation. The transfer amounts and/or timing are adjusted so as to maintain sufficient funds in the customer account for paying the other obligations. The transferred money is used to automatically pay the first obligation on or near the due date. In embodiments, the customer can access the money in the second account until the first financial obligation is paid.