The method for conducting a purchase involves obtaining a target item specification for purchasing a target item, wherein the target item specification comprises a target item description, a target purchase date, and a target price, obtaining, using a central processing unit (CPU), candidate item information related to a candidate item found on a merchant site consistent with the target item specification, wherein the candidate item information comprises a candidate item description and a candidate item price, populating a categorized entry in a user budget using the candidate item price and the target purchase date, wherein the candidate item price is no more than the target price, updating, using the CPU, the budget based on user transactions, generating a result by analyzing, using the CPU, the user budget with respect to the categorized entry, and submitting the result to a user for formulating a decision regarding whether to purchase the candidate item.