They object of the present invention is an TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM that integrates a static barcode together with a TIME VARIABLE label referred as TIME VALUE BAR or TVB. The TVB is then linked via a database to product information that vary with time such as useful shelf life, remaining shelf life, price, identity, and expiration of the article. The information is input, stored, linked, output, and managed by a Central Processing Unit (CPU), but it is also partially available to the public via the TVB. In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention the variable bar code system is compatible with the Universal Product Code (UPC) currently in use in most retail shops. In another embodiment the TIME VALUE BAR of the present invention relates a 3D barcode with a VARIABLE TIME label effectively adding a fourth dimension to the barcode thus becoming a 4D barcode system.