Abstract: A method 10 for protecting equity in purchased goods that are disposed of during a predetermined time period after purchase, includes establishing the purchase date and price for the purchased goods 14, determining a purchaser's equity in the purchased goods on the purchase date 16, selecting a time period for protecting the purchaser's equity in the purchase goods 18, determining a purchaser's equity in the purchased goods on a disposition date for the purchased goods 26, calculating the difference between the purchaser's equity and a fair market value for the purchased goods on the disposition date 30, and paying the purchaser a computer determined amount when the purchaser's equity is greater than the fair market value for the purchased goods on the disposition date 32, 40 and 42.