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This One ChatGPT Prompt Transformed My Bank Account—Like a Free Financial Guru in Your Pocket

How AI Helped Me Stop Overspending, Build Savings, and Take Control of My Financial Future

Author

Ark
August 08, 2025

How an AI Financial Coach Transformed My Spending Habits

In June, I discovered a game-changing tool that has revolutionized how I manage my finances: an AI financial coach built within ChatGPT. This simple yet powerful method has helped me gain control over my spending, avoid impulsive purchases, and stay aligned with my financial goals. Here’s how it works, why it’s effective, and how you can set it up yourself.

The Problem with Traditional Budgeting Apps

I’ve been a loyal user of budgeting apps like Quicken Simplifi, which I check daily and review monthly. These apps are fantastic for tracking income, expenses, and budgets, but they lack one critical feature: accountability. Most budgeting apps, except for a few like Cleo, don’t provide real-time feedback or challenge your spending decisions. It’s easy to overlook small purchases—like a $4 coffee or a takeout meal—that add up over time. Without constant vigilance, I found myself reflecting on my mistakes only at the end of the month, when it was too late to course-correct.

The Lightbulb Moment: From Nutrition Coach to Financial Coach

The idea for my AI financial coach came from an unexpected source—my nutrition goals. In May, I created an AI nutrition coach in ChatGPT to help me eat healthier. I’d upload photos of nutrition labels or list my meals, and the coach would provide tailored feedback based on my goals of eating whole foods and reducing processed ingredients. The daily accountability was transformative, so I thought, “Why not apply this to my finances?”

Setting Up the AI Financial Coach

Creating an AI financial coach is straightforward, especially if you have a paid ChatGPT plan (Plus or Pro, as the free version doesn’t support projects). Here’s how I did it:

  1. Create a Project in ChatGPT: I started a new project dedicated to my financial goals. ChatGPT’s project feature lets you set custom instructions, so the AI understands your objectives and how to respond.

  2. Define Your Goals: My goals are to pay off a $16,000 car loan, save $100,000, and max out my Roth IRA and 401(k). You’ll need to customize this part to reflect your own priorities.

  3. Upload Budget Details: I take screenshots of my Quicken Simplifi budget—monthly income, bills, and spending plan (e.g., coffee, personal care, gas, pets)—and upload them to the project. This gives the AI context about my financial situation.

  4. Set Custom Instructions: I provided specific instructions for the AI to act as a blunt, strategic financial advisor. It evaluates every purchase against my goals, challenges impulsive spending, and suggests alternatives when necessary.

You can copy my exact prompt (linked in the guide below) and tweak it to fit your goals. The setup is frictionless and takes just a few minutes.

How It Works in Practice

Every time I make a purchase, I open ChatGPT, hit the microphone, and report it. For example, “I just spent $20.70 at Amazon on face wash” or “I bought a $3.84 coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.” The AI processes the information, compares it to my budget, and provides immediate feedback. It’s like having a financial advisor in my pocket—one that’s available 24/7 and doesn’t charge a fee.

Here are some real examples of how it’s helped me:

  • The $140 SPF Moisturizer: I was tempted to buy a $140 SPF moisturizer from Eleus. I consulted my AI coach, which responded, “No, not yet. Not at $140 and not full price.” It reminded me that this purchase was 3.5% of my monthly discretionary budget and didn’t align with my debt payoff goals. Instead, it suggested dermatologist-approved alternatives like La Roche-Posay ($35) or Supergoop minis ($25). I ended up buying a $35 SPF at Ulta, saving over $100.

  • The “Stuff I Forgot About” Category: My budget had a $200 line item for unexpected expenses, but my AI coach called it a “budget black hole” and recommended capping it at $100. I followed the advice, which forced me to plan better and avoid vague spending.

  • Coffee Overspending: I’m notorious for going over my coffee budget. When I reported a $3.84 Dunkin’ Donuts purchase, my coach reminded me, “Every coffee you buy steals $4 that could go toward debt, your Roth, or your freedom.” That perspective shift made me rethink my daily coffee runs.

  • Dry Cleaning: I added a $150 dry cleaning budget, but my coach flagged it as “lifestyle creep” and suggested cutting it to $50 or eliminating it. After reporting $80 already spent, it advised keeping it at $150 for the month but slashing it in half for August. I’m now committed to this challenge.

  • The $5,200 Computer Purchase: Big purchases are where the AI coach shines. Before buying a $5,200 computer, I discussed it with my coach. We weighed the pros (improved workflow, potential income increase) and cons (high cost, impact on debt payoff). The AI helped me make an informed decision, confirming the purchase aligned with my long-term goals.

Why It’s So Effective

The AI financial coach works because it’s

  • Immediate: I get real-time feedback on every purchase, which stops impulsive spending in its tracks.

  • Personalized: It understands my specific budget, goals, and spending habits, making its advice relevant and actionable.

  • Accountable: The AI doesn’t sugarcoat things. It challenges me to align my spending with my goals, and I feel guilty when I consider frivolous purchases.

  • Frictionless: Reporting purchases via voice input takes seconds, and the AI does the heavy lifting of analyzing my budget.

  • Free (or Low-Cost): Unlike human financial coaches or expensive courses, this tool is included with a ChatGPT Plus/Pro subscription, which I already find worth the cost.

The Caveat

To use the project feature and create a custom AI coach, you need a paid ChatGPT plan. If you’re on the free version, this specific setup won’t work, but you could still experiment with ChatGPT’s standard interface for similar results. For me, the subscription is a small price to pay for the financial clarity it provides.

Beyond Finances: A Versatile Tool

Inspired by my financial coach’s success, I’ve since created an AI nutrition coach and a posture coach to tackle other goals. The concept is simple: give the AI clear instructions, feed it relevant data, and let it guide you with daily accountability. It’s like having a personal trainer, nutritionist, and financial advisor rolled into one.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to try this, follow these steps:

  1. Sign up for a ChatGPT Plus or Pro plan.

  2. Create a new project in ChatGPT and name it “AI Financial Coach.”

  3. Copy and paste my prompt (linked below) into the custom instructions, updating it with your financial goals.

  4. Upload screenshots of your budget or manually input your income, bills, and spending plan.

  5. Start reporting purchases via text or voice, and let the AI guide you.

I’ve included a detailed guide and my exact prompt below. All you need to do is customize it for your goals, and you’re set.

Final Thoughts

Since June, my AI financial coach has saved me from countless unnecessary purchases, helped me make smarter decisions, and kept me focused on my goals. It’s not perfect—I still overspend on coffee sometimes—but it’s made me more mindful and intentional. If you struggle with impulsive spending or want a free, effective way to stay accountable, I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s simple, powerful, and might just change how you spend money.