Abstract: A debit card with automatic savings is disclosed. The card allows a user, such as the holder of the debit card, to automatically save a specified amount of money each time a transaction is conducted with the debit card, or according to another desired condition, such as once per week. When the card is used for a transaction, the specified amount of money is deducted from the available balance of the card and is added to one or more savings accounts maintained on the card. The debit card includes at least a microprocessor or microcontroller and sufficient memory for storing balances on the card, including the balance available for spending and a total for each savings account. The user may change the amounts desired for savings and may transfer the amount “saved” to the available balance when the user wishes to redeem the savings for desired goods or services.

Abstract: Devices for receiving a smart card, such as a debit card, and reading the card are disclosed. These devices allow a user, such as the holder of the smart card, to determine a balance available to the holder of the card or an account associated with the holder or the card. The portable card balance reader includes at least a microprocessor or microcontroller and sufficient memory for storing balances from the card and for performing calculations to alert a card holder that he or she may be spending an amount that is greater than an available amount from the account of the card holder. The portable card balance reader does not require connection to an external computer or the Internet. Information concerning balances for the account is input from the card itself, from the user, or from both the user and the card itself.

Abstract: A debit card with automatic savings is disclosed. The card allows a user, such as the holder of the debit card, to automatically save a specified amount of money each time a transaction is conducted with the debit card, or according to another desired condition, such as once per week. When the card is used for a transaction, the specified amount of money is deducted from the available balance of the card and is added to one or more savings accounts maintained on the card. The debit card includes at least a microprocessor or microcontroller and sufficient memory for storing balances on the card, including the balance available for spending and a total for each savings account. The user may change the amounts desired for savings and may transfer the amount “saved” to the available balance when the user wishes to redeem the savings for desired goods or services.

Abstract: Devices for receiving a smart card, such as a debit card, and reading the card are disclosed. These devices allow a user, such as the holder of the smart card, to determine a balance available to the holder of the card or an account associated with the holder or the card. The portable card balance reader includes at least a microprocessor or microcontroller and sufficient memory for storing balances from the card and for performing calculations to alert a card holder that he or she may be spending an amount that is greater than an available amount from the account of the card holder. The portable card balance reader does not require connection to an external computer or the Internet. Information concerning balances for the account is input from the card itself, from the user, or from both the user and the card itself.

Abstract: A valet for a electronic card is provided through which a user may track and tally transactions via speed nodes that relate to predetermined spending categories and that permit the user to assign budget amounts to each such category. The valet may include means for securing a card, a balance reader, data processing means, memory, data transfer means, and security means.