All of my emails business and personal automatically deleted leaving me with only a handful of recent ones. Now, a few days later, I lost almost everything else. Emails that were deleted on my iPhone and on the browser showing it is Aol and not my phone. Help?!!

Absolutely not, except as an option. If you go back 15 years or so ago, that DID happen unless hyou moved it to your archive, which existed only your computer. I was sick for an extended period, and lost many emails because I could not log on.

I only check this email ocaisionaly. When I do, I am not interested in anything older than a couple of weeks.

the user should be able to set the criteria

I DECIDE WHEN TO DELETE EMAIL, NOT YOU!!!
IF IT IS IN MY TRASH, THEN GO FOR IT, BYTCHES!!!