I let ChatGPT manage my money for 30 days and the results shocked me

By Admin

13 Jun, 2025

A month ago, I did something both reckless and oddly responsible: I handed over control of my personal finances to ChatGPT. Yes, the same chatbot people lean on for coding help and witty LinkedIn posts. But can it actually manage money? I decided to find out.

The backstory: From budget burnout to bot buddy

Like many urban Indian millennials, my financial habits were… messy. I had a stable salary, a couple of SIPs, random Swiggy splurges, an unused credit card, and absolutely no idea where my money went every month. Budgeting apps didn’t work for me too complex, too Western, too judge-y.

One evening, while scrolling through a personal finance subreddit, I stumbled across a post that said: “Has anyone tried using ChatGPT to track or optimise their budget?”
Cue lightbulb moment.

Setting up: Sharing my financial skeleton with the AI

I laid it all out for ChatGPT salary, rent, bills, EMIs, impulsive expenses, and all. My monthly salary was ₹1,10,000 (post-tax). Fixed expenses included rent (₹25,000), utilities and subscriptions (₹3,500), a phone EMI I regretted (₹6,700), and two SIPs totalling ₹6,000. The rest? A chaotic mix of Zomato, street shopping, and daydreaming about vacations.

I asked: “Can you optimise my budget for the next 30 days and help me save more?”
What came back was a detailed plan using the 50-30-20 rule customised for Indian expenses.

ChatGPT pointed out a few financial red flags:

• I was spending almost ₹9,000 monthly on food delivery.
  
  

• My emergency fund was dangerously low.
  
  

• My credit card could be swapped for one with better cashback or rewards.
  
  

Week 1: The AI budget shock

I began by following its instructions. I moved ₹15,000 into a new emergency fund. Using its suggested formulas, I created a detailed Google Sheet to track every expense. It even categorized them for me.

It felt like having a no-nonsense financial therapist: “Do you really need that third iced Americano?”

I paused an unused OTT subscription. I cooked more, used UPI cashback offers, and logged every rupee I spent.

Week 2: The resistance phase

Mid-month brought temptation a Goa trip with friends. I asked ChatGPT if I could afford it.

It didn’t say no. Instead, it said: “If you cut weekend spending by 50% for the next two weeks and move ₹3,000 from Wants to Experiences, you can go.”

It even helped me find a cheaper Airbnb in Anjuna. Smart, not stingy.

Week 3: Automation magic

ChatGPT helped automate my finances. It guided me in setting reminders and auto-pay for bills. I adjusted SIP dates for better cash flow and used it to craft a simple, jargon-free message to my insurance agent about a term plan.

It wasn’t just a budgeting tool it became my personal finance assistant.

Week 4: The realisation

By month-end, I had:

• Saved ₹12,500 more than usual
  
  

• Cut food delivery costs by 60%
  
  

• Started a real emergency fund
  
  

• Found a better cashback credit card
  
  

• Tracked every expense with surprising consistency
  
  

And yes, I went to Goa with zero financial guilt.

So, can ChatGPT replace a financial advisor?

Not quite. It can’t predict market downturns or replace deep tax expertise. But it explained the new tax regime better than my CA, reminded me of spending limits, and kept me accountable without judgement.

It felt like a financially-savvy elder sibling who never rolls their eyes at your third coffee or late-night sale splurge.

Should you let ChatGPT manage your money?

Absolutely especially if you're tired of being financially clueless. It's not about being perfect. It’s about becoming aware, staying disciplined, and celebrating small wins.

ChatGPT won't make you rich overnight but it can help you stop feeling broke all the time. And honestly? That’s worth more than a cashback point.