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the AI prompts i actually use every week (copy + paste these)
ok i keep getting asked "but what do you actually TYPE into these things." so here's my real list. these work in Google's Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT — whatever you've got open. paste it and fill in the [brackets].
meal planning that doesn't make you want to cry:
"Make me a 5-dinner plan for [2 adults], budget around [$75] for the week, nothing over 30 minutes, and we don't eat [seafood]. Give me one combined grocery list grouped by store section."
the hard email you've been putting off:
"Help me write a short, polite email to [my landlord] about [the heat being out for 4 days]. Firm but not rude, under 120 words. Give me two versions — one softer, one more direct."
decode the thing nobody explained to you:
"Explain this [medical bill / lease clause / insurance letter] like I'm smart but not in this field. Tell me what it actually means, what I should double-check, and what to ask them." then paste the text underneath.
decide without spiraling:
"I'm stuck between [X] and [Y]. Ask me five questions, one at a time, to figure out what actually matters to me here — then give me your honest read."
learn something in ten minutes:
"I've got 10 minutes and zero background. Teach me the basics of [how a 401k match works] with one real example using round numbers."
the [brackets] are the whole trick honestly. the more specific you are, the less generic the answer. vague in, vague out.
anyone got ones you use for real? drop them here. i'll steal the good ones.