beginner 60 min
How to use AI to sort out your personal finances
Get a plain-English snapshot of where your money goes and a plan to fix the two biggest leaks.
Guide curated and reviewed byMark Barclay
Before you start
- 3 months of transactions in CSV
- A savings goal
Tools you'll use
- SynaBot
- YNAB
- Monzo/Chase
Steps
- 1
Export 3 months of transactions
Download a CSV from your bank and any credit cards. Remove your account number before pasting.
- 2
Categorize with AI
Prompt: "Categorize these transactions into groups (housing, food, transport, subscriptions, etc.) and total each."
- 3
Ask for the two biggest leaks
"Given this breakdown, which two categories are the biggest opportunities to cut without hurting quality of life?"
- 4
Build a monthly plan
"Propose a monthly budget that trims those two categories by 30% and saves the difference."
- 5
Automate the transfers
Set up a standing order the day after payday for the savings amount. Automation beats willpower.
What you'll have at the end
A categorized snapshot of your spending, two clear opportunities to cut, and an automated savings plan.