AI Tools Help You Save Money On Bills
With rising costs and summer expenses on the horizon, I decided it was time to get serious about my budget. Naturally, I turned to an assistant I knew wouldn’t judge: AI.
Over one month, I employed ChatGPT and Gemini to uncover hidden spending, negotiate better deals on my bills, and rethink my approach to meal planning. I wasn't expecting miracles, just a few dollars saved here and there. However, by the end of the month, the savings were quite significant.
Here’s how I managed to do it, all without sharing any personal or credit card information.
Using AI to Conquer Subscription Overload
First on my list was tackling 'subscription creep.' My credit card conveniently shows upcoming subscriptions, which I copied and pasted directly into the AI's prompt area. If your card doesn't offer this feature, you can upload a monthly statement, and the AI can identify the subscriptions for you.
Once the list was ready, I used this prompt: “Analyze this list of monthly subscriptions and suggest which ones I can cancel, pause or downgrade based on usage.”
Within seconds, ChatGPT highlighted several subscriptions I hadn’t used in months and had forgotten I was still paying for. These included a fitness app, a duplicate cloud storage plan, and an audiobook subscription I no longer used.
It also wisely suggested checking for bundled services. It turned out I was paying separately for Hulu and Disney+, even though I had access to a bundle deal.
Negotiating Lower Bills with AI Assistance
Next, I sought ChatGPT's help to lower my phone bill, which had mysteriously increased by $20 from the previous month.
I used the prompt: “Help me write a script to ask my internet provider for a discount or promotion.”
The AI provided a short, polite script that mentioned my status as a long-time customer and inquired about current promotions.
Armed with this script, I called my provider. After a brief hold, I secured a $40 per month credit for the next 12 months. This call also led me to bundle my internet with the phone provider, allowing me to cancel my existing neighborhood provider—a saving I hadn't initially considered.
AI also helped me draft cancellation emails, including one for a gym membership with a strict “absolutely no refunds” policy. And yes, I got a refund!
Smarter Meal Planning for Big Savings
Feeding a family of five can quickly strain the budget, especially without a solid plan. I asked Gemini for assistance: “Create a meal plan for a week of dinners under $100.” My usual grocery bill was around $250.
I provided the chatbot with a list of items I already had in my pantry and freezer. It then filled in the gaps with a budget-friendly grocery list. The suggestions included sheet pan chicken, chili, tacos, and one night dedicated to leftovers. This meal plan helped me stick to a grocery budget and eliminated our usual midweek pizza night.
When my kids voiced their disappointment about the lack of takeout pizza, I set up a ChatGPT Task to search for the best pizza deals in our area every Friday night.
Finding Affordable Family Fun with AI
Weekend activities, especially with children, can quietly drain your finances. Instead of defaulting to expensive movie tickets or amusement parks, I asked ChatGPT: “Find 5 free or low-cost activities for families this weekend near [my town].”
It came back with a free library event, a nature center with no admission fee, and a local museum offering half-price admission on Saturdays. I also used it to generate ideas for indoor activities for a rainy day at home, like a pillow fort challenge, a movie marathon, and kitchen bingo.
Final Thoughts on AI for Budgeting
While I would never advocate for AI to become your sole financial planner, nor recommend anyone else do so, I must admit that AI is an excellent assistant for uncovering unnecessary expenses.
Neither chatbot linked directly to my accounts or tracked my spending in real-time. It's crucial to remember that you should never give confidential or sensitive personal information to a chatbot.
However, what AI can do is offer an objective look at your spending habits, surface potential savings you might otherwise miss, and help you act on these opportunities with confidence.
And in today's economy? I’ll gladly take AI's two cents.
