The Best Everyday Ways to Use AI Right Now

Practical, down-to-earth tips to reduce mental load with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Grok

1. The “What’s for Dinner?” Solver

Stop staring at the fridge. Let AI turn whatever you have into dinner.

• The “Chopped” Challenge
  
  Take a photo of your fridge (or list ingredients) and ask:
  “What can I cook with these? I have 30 minutes and I hate doing dishes.”
• Dietary Swaps
  
  Paste any recipe and say:
  “Make this dairy-free and high-protein, but keep the original flavor profile.”
• Smart Grocery Lists
  
  “Here is my meal plan for the week. Create a categorized grocery list based on the layout of a standard supermarket.”

2. The “Hard Conversation” Drafter

Writing is easy; finding the perfect tone is hard. AI nails tone.

• Polite Decline
  
  “Write a polite but firm email declining a wedding invitation from a cousin I haven’t seen in 10 years.”
• Landlord/HOA Messages
  
  “Write a professional message to my landlord about the mold in the bathroom. Cite local tenant laws regarding repair timelines.”
• Salary Negotiation Script
  
  “I need to ask for a raise. Here are my accomplishments this year. Write a script for a 5-minute conversation with my boss.”

3. The “Life Admin” Assistant

For all the boring adulting tasks that pile up.

• Obituaries & Eulogies
  
  “Write a touching, celebratory obituary for my grandfather who loved fishing and bad puns.”
• Simplify Contracts
  
  Paste any legalese and ask:
  “Summarize this in plain English. What are the red flags?”
• Gift Ideas on a Budget
  
  “I need a Christmas gift for a 13-year-old boy who loves Minecraft and hates sports. Budget $30.”

4. The Travel Agent

No more 47 open browser tabs.

• Realistic Itineraries
  
  “Plan a 3-day weekend in Chicago for a couple in their 40s who like jazz and Italian food, but hate tourist traps.”
• Layover Adventures
  
  “I have a 6-hour layover in Denver. Is that enough time to leave the airport and see anything worthwhile?”

5. The “Explain Like I’m 5” Tutor

Close knowledge gaps without embarrassment.

• Tech Support
  
  “My iPhone is doing [describe problem]. What are the first three things I should try?”
• News & Pop Culture
  
  “Everyone is talking about [topic]. Give me a neutral bulleted summary of what’s happening and why people are upset.”
• Medical Jargon Translator
  
  “My doctor’s report says ‘benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.’ What does that actually mean in simple terms?”

6. The Fitness & Hobby Coach

• Quick Home Workouts
  
  “I have two 15-pound dumbbells and 20 minutes a day. Create a 4-week progressive plan.”
• Gardening Advice
  
  “I live in Zone 9b. It’s October. What vegetables should I plant now for a spring harvest?”
• Book Recommendations
  
  “I just finished Project Hail Mary and loved it. Recommend 5 books with the same science-based problem-solving vibe.”

7. Excel & Spreadsheet Wizardry

• Formula Help
  
  “I have dates in Column A and sales in Column B. Write a formula that adds up only November sales.”