diff --git a/backend/server3.js b/backend/server3.js
index afe1172..6fc2311 100644
--- a/backend/server3.js
+++ b/backend/server3.js
@@ -323,7 +323,8 @@ app.post('/api/premium/ai/next-steps', authenticatePremiumUser, async (req, res)
       userProfile = {},
       scenarioRow = {},
       financialProfile = {},
-      collegeProfile = {}
+      collegeProfile = {},
+      previouslyUsedTitles = []
     } = req.body;
 
     // 2) Build a summary for ChatGPT
@@ -335,6 +336,13 @@ app.post('/api/premium/ai/next-steps', authenticatePremiumUser, async (req, res)
       collegeProfile
     });
 
+     let avoidSection = '';
+    if (previouslyUsedTitles.length > 0) {
+      avoidSection = `\nDO NOT repeat the following milestone titles:\n${previouslyUsedTitles
+        .map((t) => `- ${t}`)
+        .join('\n')}\n`;
+    }
+
     // 3) Dynamically compute "today's" date and future cutoffs
     const now = new Date();
     const isoToday = now.toISOString().slice(0, 10); // e.g. "2025-06-01"
@@ -371,12 +379,14 @@ Respond ONLY in the requested JSON format.`
 Here is the user's current situation:
 ${summaryText}
 
-Please provide exactly 3 short-term (within 6 months) and 2 long-term (1–3 years) milestones. 
+Please provide exactly 3 short-term (within 6 months) and 2 long-term (1–3 years) milestones. Avoid any previously suggested milestones.
 Each milestone must have:
  - "title" (up to 5 words)
  - "date" in YYYY-MM-DD format (>= ${isoToday})
  - "description" (1-2 sentences)
 
+ ${avoidSection}
+
 Return ONLY a JSON array, no extra text:
 
 [
diff --git a/src/components/MilestoneTracker.js b/src/components/MilestoneTracker.js
index 2532c23..daf1d8a 100644
--- a/src/components/MilestoneTracker.js
+++ b/src/components/MilestoneTracker.js
@@ -329,6 +329,33 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
   const userArea = userProfile?.area || 'U.S.';
   const userState = getFullStateName(userProfile?.state || '') || 'United States';
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const storedRecs = localStorage.getItem('aiRecommendations');
+    if (storedRecs) {
+      try {
+        const arr = JSON.parse(storedRecs);
+        arr.forEach((m) => {
+          if (!m.id) {
+            m.id = crypto.randomUUID();
+          }
+        });
+        setRecommendations(arr);
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error('Error parsing stored AI recs =>', err);
+      }
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (recommendations.length > 0) {
+      localStorage.setItem('aiRecommendations', JSON.stringify(recommendations));
+    } else {
+      // if it's empty, we can remove from localStorage if you want
+      localStorage.removeItem('aiRecommendations');
+    }
+  }, [recommendations]);
+
+
   // 2) load local JSON => masterCareerRatings
   useEffect(() => {
     fetch('/careers_with_ratings.json')
@@ -718,13 +745,29 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
   const yearsInCareer = getYearsInCareer(scenarioRow?.start_date);
 
   // -- AI Handler --
-  async function handleAiClick() {
+   async function handleAiClick() {
     setAiLoading(true);
-    setRecommendations([]);
     setSelectedIds([]);
 
+    // gather all previously used titles from:
+    // A) existing recommendations
+    // B) accepted milestones in scenarioMilestones
+    // We'll pass them in the same request to /api/premium/ai/next-steps
+    // so the server can incorporate them in the prompt
+    const oldRecTitles = recommendations.map((r) => r.title.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+    const acceptedTitles = scenarioMilestones.map((m) => (m.title || '').trim()).filter(Boolean);
+    const allToAvoid = [...oldRecTitles, ...acceptedTitles];
+
     try {
-      const payload = { userProfile, scenarioRow, financialProfile, collegeProfile };
+      const payload = {
+        userProfile,
+        scenarioRow,
+        financialProfile,
+        collegeProfile,
+        previouslyUsedTitles: allToAvoid
+      };
+
+      // We'll rely on the server to integrate "previouslyUsedTitles" into the prompt
       const res = await authFetch('/api/premium/ai/next-steps', {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
@@ -734,19 +777,17 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
 
       const data = await res.json();
       const rawText = data.recommendations || '';
-
-      // Parse JSON
       const arr = parseAiJson(rawText);
-      setRecommendations(arr);
 
+      setRecommendations(arr);
+      localStorage.setItem('aiRecommendations', JSON.stringify(arr));
     } catch (err) {
-      console.error('Error fetching AI recommendations:', err);
+      console.error('Error fetching AI next steps =>', err);
     } finally {
       setAiLoading(false);
     }
   }
 
-  // Check/uncheck a recommendation
   function handleToggle(recId) {
     setSelectedIds((prev) => {
       if (prev.includes(recId)) {
@@ -759,17 +800,17 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
 
   async function handleCreateSelectedMilestones() {
     if (!careerProfileId) return;
-    const confirm = window.confirm('Convert selected AI suggestions into milestones?');
+    const confirm = window.confirm('Create the selected AI suggestions as milestones?');
     if (!confirm) return;
 
-    // filter out those that are checked
     const selectedRecs = recommendations.filter((r) => selectedIds.includes(r.id));
     if (!selectedRecs.length) return;
 
-    const newMils = selectedRecs.map((rec) => ({
+    // Use the AI-suggested date:
+    const payload = selectedRecs.map((rec) => ({
       title: rec.title,
       description: rec.description || '',
-      date: new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10), // for demonstration
+      date: rec.date, // <-- use AI's date, not today's date
       career_profile_id: careerProfileId
     }));
 
@@ -777,20 +818,19 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
       const r = await authFetch('/api/premium/milestone', {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ milestones: newMils })
+        body: JSON.stringify({ milestones: payload })
       });
       if (!r.ok) throw new Error('Failed to create new milestones');
 
-      // re-run the projection to reflect newly inserted milestones
+      // re-run projection to see them in the chart
       await buildProjection();
 
-      alert('Milestones successfully created! Check your timeline or projection.');
-
-      // optionally clear them
+      // optionally clear
+      alert('Milestones created successfully!');
       setSelectedIds([]);
     } catch (err) {
-      console.error('Error saving new milestones:', err);
-      alert('Error saving AI milestones.');
+      console.error('Error creating milestones =>', err);
+      alert('Error saving new AI milestones.');
     }
   }
 
@@ -801,6 +841,8 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
     if (!simulationYearsInput.trim()) setSimulationYearsInput('20');
   }
 
+  const buttonLabel = recommendations.length > 0 ? 'New Suggestions' : 'What Should I Do Next?';
+
   return (
     <div className="milestone-tracker max-w-screen-lg mx-auto px-4 py-6 space-y-6">
       <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold mb-4">Where Am I Now?</h2>
@@ -981,7 +1023,7 @@ export default function MilestoneTracker({ selectedCareer: initialCareer }) {
       {/* 7) AI Next Steps */}
       <div className="bg-white p-4 rounded shadow mt-4">
         <Button onClick={handleAiClick}>
-          What Should I Do Next?
+           {buttonLabel}
         </Button>
         {aiLoading && <p>Generating your next steps…</p>}