Each couple of hours, I log in to my checking account apps to see how a lot cash I’m making and the way a lot of it’s being spent.
I think about myself a frugal spender who solely “balls out” on particular events (as soon as my birthday comes round, I’m breaking the financial institution at my favourite rooftop lounge and soul meals restaurant!). Even nonetheless, I’m at all times searching for new methods to save lots of for the long run by way of money-saving strategies.
With a slew of latest prompts detailed on this newest article from Google’s The Key phrase, I performed this experiment and wasn’t all that shocked on the winner of this AI battle of wits.
1. Arising with a weekly grocery spending price range
If there’s one factor I really like, it’s a full fridge. I additionally like strolling into my kitchen and seeing the whole lot I would like in my snack bin and cabinets. However with grocery costs what they’re nowadays, I needed to see which AI might assist me price range higher on my weekly purchasing journey.
I used this immediate with each chatbots:
“My biweekly grocery price range is $175. I like to purchase hen breast, frozen shrimp, greens, steak, rice, mashed potatoes, and diverse snacks. Present a categorized grocery checklist in a desk and estimate the worth for every merchandise.”
Gemini instantly reassured me that stretching $175 over two weeks was lifelike, so long as I balanced “splurge” objects like steak and shrimp with cheaper staples like rice and potatoes. It then delivered an in depth desk breaking the whole lot down by class, merchandise, amount, and estimated value — and gave me a transparent whole on the finish.
I additionally preferred that Gemini supplied sensible, tailor-made ideas, together with this one about my beloved steak: “To maintain this below price range, search for ‘Household Packs’ and freeze what you don’t use. High Sirloin is often the very best bang on your buck.” It even supplied to show my components right into a 14-day meal plan.
ChatGPT gave me the same chart with the identical classes, nevertheless it added objects I don’t often purchase, like eggs and shredded cheese. Useful, however not needed. That stated, I appreciated that ChatGPT offered a ultimate whole, urged further objects if I had cash left over, and supplied to tailor the checklist to my most well-liked shops.
Winner: Gemini.
It edged out ChatGPT as a result of I might export the checklist on to Google Sheets, the ideas felt extra personalized to my habits, and it explicitly accounted for inflation and present value hikes when constructing my checklist.
2. Saving for an costly getaway
Theme parks give me life. Each couple of years, I would like every week in Orlando hopping on curler coasters and pretending I’m a child once more. I did precisely that in 2025 at Common Studios, Islands of Journey, and Epic Universe — and I’m already planning to return this October.
Final time, I spent about $2,500 on the journey, however I do know that quantity will possible creep larger. So I gave each AI chatbots this immediate:
“I wish to save $3,000 for a seven-day getaway to Orlando by October. I plan to purchase a 3-Park Multi-Day Specific Cross for Common Studios, Islands of Journey, and Epic Universe. My month-to-month take-home pay is $3,500, and my month-to-month bills are $1,500. Create a 12-month financial savings roadmap and spotlight the largest dangers for overspending.”
Gemini responded with a transparent 12-month financial savings roadmap, estimated prices for the Specific Cross (it appropriately assumed I’m not ready in limitless traces), and a breakdown of the largest dangers that might derail my plan.
ChatGPT delivered the same chart, walked me by way of how issues would really feel financially month to month, and supplied a listing of tricks to keep away from overspending — even suggesting I title my financial savings account “October Orlando – Do Not Contact,” which I beloved.
Winner: Gemini.
As soon as once more, Gemini edged out ChatGPT. I preferred that I might export its plan straight into Google Sheets, and that it factored in my biweekly grocery price range when providing saving ideas. It additionally acknowledged that resort costs are likely to spike in October and referenced points of interest I really acknowledge, which made its recommendation really feel extra grounded in actuality.
3. Selecting between two monetary eventualities
This subsequent immediate got here straight from that article in The Key phrase — I needed to see if Gemini would maintain its streak going, or if ChatGPT may unexpectedly pull forward on this ultimate spherical:
“Evaluate two eventualities for my 2026 price range. Situation A: I maintain my present automotive with its $500/month fee. Situation B: I promote it, purchase a used automotive for money and make investments the $500/month. Present me the distinction in my projected earnings.”
Gemini responded with a extremely detailed 10-year monetary comparability chart that mapped out each eventualities throughout a number of milestones. It included my automotive fee over time, projected funding totals if I selected Situation B, and a breakdown of the chance value of paying versus investing. It additionally analyzed the dangers of switching to a used automotive and summarized the whole lot in three clear takeaways.
ChatGPT took a barely totally different strategy. It laid out lifelike targets if I selected Situation B, predicted outcomes for each eventualities in easy-to-read charts, and in contrast my web monetary place facet by facet. It additionally layered in a spread of extra insights I hadn’t explicitly requested for.
Winner: ChatGPT.
ChatGPT lastly bought one — and it earned it. Gemini gave me strong numbers and even supplied to calculate a break-even level the place used-car upkeep may make retaining my present automotive the higher possibility. However ChatGPT went additional by addressing psychological trade-offs, presenting extra complete visuals, and providing versatile “what-if” choices (like investing solely $250 as a substitute of the total $500). That further context made me really feel extra assured weighing my determination.
General winner: Google Gemini
Google Gemini’s cross-integration with Google Sheets is a godsend once I ever wish to export the AI-made charts right into a spreadsheet. Plus Google’s AI software remembered a earlier monetary level about me and thought of it once I needed recommendation on tips on how to save up for one more dream trip.
Each Gemini and ChatGPT did their half to current helpful breakdowns of my spending/saving plans, sensible recommendation and totally different choices to think about earlier than making a ultimate determination on my present cash issues.
In the long run, Gemini in the end proved to be the higher digital monetary adviser.
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