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I love a good deal. I also love a little treat. And like many people, I have absolutely convinced myself that buying something on sale is basically the same as saving money. But, we all know that's not always true.That’s why I started using what I call the “add to cart” prompt. It’s a simple prompt I use before buying almost anything, whether I’m shopping online, standing in Target with a candle I didn’t come in for or wondering if a new gadget is actually worth the money.The idea is simple: Before I buy, I ask AI to interrupt the impulse. Instead of using ChatGPT to help me find more things to buy, I use it as a 30-second shopping speed bump. It helps me think through whether the purchase solves a real problem, fits my budget or is just the result of boredom, stress or very good product photography.Here’s how it works.The ‘add to cart’ promptI designed this prompt to be quick enough that I’ll actually use it. I don’t want a full financial therapy session every time I’m considering a sweatshirt or a kitchen gadget. I just want a fast gut check.Here’s the prompt: "I’m thinking about buying [item]. It costs [price]. Before I add it to my cart, help me decide if this is a smart purchase based on what you know about me. Search the web and tell me if the price is reasonable or if there is a better price or dupe available." What I like about this prompt is that my kids have started using it, too. It's taught them to think before asking me to buy something for them or making a purchase with their hard earned allowance.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.You can use this with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or any of your favorite chatbots. I even use it hands-free when I shop wearing my Meta Ray Bans smart display glasses. The key is to make the chatbot act like the friend who lovingly asks, “Do you really need that?”And yes, sometimes the answer is still yes. The point is not to make every purchase feel bad. The point is to stop letting every purchase feel automatic.Why this works
