to apply to the purchase the purchase data is sent 23 to the database and the data is updated to a corresponding email tag along with the amount remaining in the account this step can optionally be done via a batch transaction the point of sale receives 25 the amount of the remaining on the account and the cashier reconciles the purchase with the recipient accordingly optionally if update to the database is done in real time rather than by batch an sms message showing 26 the remaining credit on the account can be sent to the recipient 39 s mobile phone 5 another embodiment combines the functionality of the different databases into one central or distributed database in step d of this embodiment of the invention the retailer will run reports through an advertising application 32 against the database 1 which will report on the image based payment medium performance allow the upload of text messages and email advertising and will allow the retailer to place orders to deliver advertising on specific dates and to specific recipients the retailer 39 s advertising order information is sent to the database and on the time and date specified by the retailer text and or email advertising is sent out to the specified recipients the messages are then received by the recipient 39 s mobile phone or alternately by the recipient 39 s e mail client a mobile phone as used in this specification is also known as a wireless phone cell phone or cellular telephone it is a long range portable electronic device used for mobile.