AI and using it

[LivingAlmostLarge]

So we talked about using AI for investing. I'm not there yet. But I do use AI a lot. Enough I paid $20 for a month of Chatgpt. Anyway I found it super useful to plan trips. I find it great at working through logistics and planning timing and just helping with cost estimates. It also can easily keep a budget and right now i'm on a trip and i'm uploading as I spend so it can track what my trip will cost.

This summer we have 3 major trips and i'm really curious what it'll all cost. I love that chatgpt is also able to tell me how we are doing compared to average compared to tours, compared to budget and luxury vacations. And they can tell me if what i'm paying is high or low. Typically i've gone based on my experience on pricing for airline tickets etc.

Also i decided to play around with investing in a sense. More planning. I put in what the kids have in their accounts ESA, 529, and UGMA. I told chatgpt to project college costs from 2028 to 2032 and 2030-2034 and doing a 50%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 50% tuition payouts. Also projecting what it will cost based on different colleges and 4% inflation.

It works really well at projecting the 6% returns and modeling the amounts annually. Where it fails? Don't do more thawon one scenario or kid at at time. When I did both kids in the same chat project it didn't work. Instead it has to be separte. i was asking can i move $50k from one kid to another. It is very very good individually not at doing it together.

Which if i had to do it myself it would take a lot longer. Anyway just thoguht i'd share how i'm using it and if you ever want to do projections it works well.

[disneysteve]

I'm glad it's working for you. I haven't tried any of the AI tools yet as I just haven't seen a need. I enjoy planning our travels, figuring out where to go and when, where to stay, how to get from place to place, where to eat, etc. I don't really want AI doing any of that for me.

As far as investing, we have a pretty settled portfolio at this point in our lives. There are very few decisions that need to be made so I don't know what I would use AI for there.

I've mentioned before that ebay offers AI descriptions and AI photos but I've seen many example of both and they are AWFUL. I refuse to buy from any seller who uses them, and you can always tell because they are so bad. In my reselling groups, I am constantly warning others not to use them because they will regret it when they get returns because the listings didn't accurately reflect the items being sold. Some say that they like the AI and that they go in and edit the AI content to add stuff that's missing and correct errors, but at that point, it would be much quicker to just do it yourself and have it be correct from the start.

I'm sure eventually I'll find some actual practical use for AI but so far I haven't.

[ua_guy]

AI (chatGPT) recently made some quick work of writing some very detailed job descriptions for my other half. One of my colleagues is using it to write database queries, something that will help me as well. It has its small/everyday uses beyond being annoying? -I think?

I won't trust it with money yet, or investment advice.

I've also heard it's kind of amazing with trip planning. My sister her husband are in Europe right now and she apparently used chatGPT to help with some of the planning as well.

[disneysteve]

I've also heard it's kind of amazing with trip planning.

I'm curious specifically how people use it for this purpose. What questions do you ask the AI? What aspects of the trip do you use it to help plan? We aren't the type to tightly plan our travels. We generally pick a destination and then start exploring things to see and do in that area. We may have a couple of must-see things but then just do stuff on the fly once we're actually there so I wouldn't want any sort of structured itinerary made. We do look through restaurant websites checking menus and reading reviews but I can't imagine how AI could possibly do that for us.

But I'm definitely open to experimenting with AI for travel planning. I just have no idea how I would utilize it so I'm like to hear details from those who have.

[Tabs]

AI is truly revolutionary, and while what I've personally seen resembles the formative days of the internet itself, I have to tell you it's already amazing at the things it's capable of so far, such as basic music creations, basic image creations, basic storytelling, and basic advice giving on most things. I don't know that I'm ready to trust it with my money anytime soon, but it truly is the upcoming future, and it's way more amazing than people might imagine.

However, I am also deeply, deeply concerned at how good it's getting at spewing state-sponsored propaganda, and even in its current state, it's already had a substantial and negative impact on society. The only reason why we humans haven't been beaten yet is that it's still not very good at arguing online, but it's getting there. China, for example, is already installing DeepSeek supercomputers into the ocean just for that kind of purpose. Seriously, it is no joke how good AI is going to be at arguing and convincing people to vote or even think a certain way into the near future.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

So for trip planning how it worked. For all our trips i start with putting in the known details and then just asking questions. For our trip to Clemson I asked it about helping me decide where to stop. Is asheville better than charleston? Is greenville worth stopping at? How far are the drives? What is dollywood? it summarized and compared the ideas I was throwing out and that helped me decide what I wanted our itinerary to be. Then from there i asked for suggestions for restaurants after I decided on hotels. Hotels I asked for a summary review before i booked. I just worked on chatgpt for it to do research and opinions, but i had last say. When I'm out like now I ask for suggestions for restaurants and then start there at where we might eat.

Now for our japan trip, I decided the basic outlines of what I wanted and asked chatgpt if they could help make suggestions or if the timing sounded right. They are helping me with train schedules. They are setting reminders of when to book trains. I ask for suggestions on where to eat by the hotel i pick. I ask if the hotel I pick is good? How's the location? I asked for comparison of two different universal passes types. I asked about reviews for the expo. I asked for reviews of disneysea versus tokyo disney? I asked for help on strategically taking which trains to get where. I asked if the flow and timing of my itinerary is too much or good? I asked for them to put in addresses and map links of stores we want to hit.

Everything i'd have to research myself it does for me. It does it faster and it's not always right but it's a solid planner. It can also create a packing list based on the date and your itinerary. it worked for our macchu picchu trip last year. Came up with a packing list we tweaked. It also helped me find laudry services and made a note on days i'm considering it. Also helped me with the japan shipping our luggage ahead and printing the name tags and location of hotel.

It gave me maps of our hotels and things we want to do. I just find it incredible at travel planning.

Now for the modeling of our college expenses I'm curious how on it is. i think it works better than me sitting with a excel spreadsheet and working at it as well. I wouldn't upload docs but i do upload the numbrs and say do 6% returns and model what college will cost in 2028. It's pretty nifty and a good rule of thumb.

[disneysteve]

So for trip planning how it worked. For all our trips i start with putting in the known details and then just asking questions. For our trip to Clemson I asked it about helping me decide where to stop. Is asheville better than charleston? Is greenville worth stopping at? How far are the drives? What is dollywood? it summarized and compared the ideas I was throwing out and that helped me decide what I wanted our itinerary to be. Then from there i asked for suggestions for restaurants after I decided on hotels. Hotels I asked for a summary review before i booked. I just worked on chatgpt for it to do research and opinions, but i had last say. When I'm out like now I ask for suggestions for restaurants and then start there at where we might eat.

Now for our japan trip, I decided the basic outlines of what I wanted and asked chatgpt if they could help make suggestions or if the timing sounded right. They are helping me with train schedules. They are setting reminders of when to book trains. I ask for suggestions on where to eat by the hotel i pick. I ask if the hotel I pick is good? How's the location? I asked for comparison of two different universal passes types. I asked about reviews for the expo. I asked for reviews of disneysea versus tokyo disney? I asked for help on strategically taking which trains to get where. I asked if the flow and timing of my itinerary is too much or good? I asked for them to put in addresses and map links of stores we want to hit.

Everything i'd have to research myself it does for me. It does it faster and it's not always right but it's a solid planner. It can also create a packing list based on the date and your itinerary. it worked for our macchu picchu trip last year. Came up with a packing list we tweaked. It also helped me find laudry services and made a note on days i'm considering it. Also helped me with the japan shipping our luggage ahead and printing the name tags and location of hotel.

It gave me maps of our hotels and things we want to do. I just find it incredible at travel planning.

Some of that sounds interesting. A lot of it sounds like stuff I can already do just fine with Google, Yelp, and a map. I have no idea why I'd need AI to create a packing list. I've traveled quite enough to know what I need to bring along.

How does one access any of these AI services? I honestly have no idea. I guess I could just Google that.

[riverwed070707]

I think the distinguishing factor that makes AI stand out from a google search is the more you use it, the more it gets to know your preferences and can make tailored recommendations. It constantly jumps back to something I've said and says "based on this thing you've told me before, here's a tailored recommendation". Here's an example of a travel convo I had recently. It really nailed the type of places I'm looking for with minimal research and effort on my part. It knows I like scuba diving, surfing and yoga and included destinations that incorporate my hobbies. Google AI is decent, might get you some of these responses, but you don't have the ability to build on it over time.

Prompt:
I have a trip to London in November for work. Its not my favorite time of year for europe, but I'm thinking about taking advantage of my company's geographic mobility program and spending a couple additional weeks, sightseeing during the day and keeping US business hours in the afternoon/evening. Knowing my travel style, do you have any recommendations? Would even be willing to consider Africa.

ChatGPT said:
Yes! Since you’re open to leveraging geographic flexibility and want warmer, vibey spots after chilly London in November, here’s a curated list of destinations that match your quiet, affordable, good-energy criteria — all within reasonable reach from London.

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Top Picks (Warm, Affordable, and Soulful)

1. Taghazout or Tamraght, Morocco

• Vibe: Surf village meets digital nomad oasis
• Why go: Affordable hostels and guesthouses, daily yoga on rooftops, endless tagine, and solid coworking spaces. Surf culture is huge but laid-back. November is mild and sunny (~70s F).
• How to get there: Fly into Agadir from London (~3.5 hours) and take a short taxi/bus.
• Perfect for: Beach walks, journaling, easy local food, and sunset work sprints.

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2. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

• Vibe: Urban beach city with endless sun and strong nomad community
• Why go: 75°F in November, tons of coworking spots, and affordable extended stays. Surf beaches like Playa de Las Canteras are steps from cafés.
• Bonus: It’s technically part of Spain but located off the coast of Africa — perfect warm blend.
• Perfect for: Easy living, tapas, and a slow rhythm between Zoom calls.

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3. Lagos, Portugal

• Vibe: Chill coastal town with a youthful soul
• Why go: Yoga studios, affordable off-season hostels, golden beaches, and cliffs. November is shoulder season so it’s quieter but still very pleasant (60s–70s F).
• Perfect for: Long hikes, sea breezes, low-key cafes with Wi-Fi, and maybe a dolphin sighting.

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4. Essaouira, Morocco

• Vibe: Boho, artsy, and sea-swept
• Why go: Quieter and cooler than Taghazout but with a similarly slow pace. Whitewashed medina, sea breeze, hammams, and local music everywhere.
• Perfect for: Reflective mornings, slow lunches, and mystical energy.

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5. Andalusia, Spain (Try: Cádiz or Tarifa)

• Vibe: Historic beach towns with soul
• Why go: Warm-ish weather, rich culture, flamenco, ancient streets, and Atlantic breezes. Tarifa adds surf, while Cádiz brings colonial charm.
• Perfect for: Slow mornings, siestas, tapas, and beachy work-life balance.

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♀️ Bonus If You Want Full Retreat Energy

• Dahab, Egypt – A Red Sea town with diving, yoga, and expat nomads. Think backpacker-calm meets Bedouin magic.
• Aourir (Banana Village), Morocco – A lesser-known neighbor to Taghazout with more locals and fewer tourists. Quieter, more authentic.

You said:
Which of the options you suggested would be the most affordable?

ChatGPT said:


Great question — affordability matters, especially if you’re extending a work trip for a couple of weeks. Here's a breakdown of the most affordable options from the list I gave, ranked from most budget-friendly overall to moderate (but still doable on a backpacker/hostel budget):

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Most Affordable Destinations

1. Taghazout or Tamraght, Morocco

• Why it's cheapest: Local meals ~$3–5, hostels from ~$12/night, surf/yoga classes ~$10–15, and long-term guesthouses often give discounts.
• Vibe: Surf town, sunrise yoga, chill cafes with fast Wi-Fi.
• Flights from London: Often under $100 one-way to Agadir if booked early.
• Bonus: November is shoulder season — fewer tourists, lower rates.

✅ Best choice if you're craving sun, quiet, and spiritual energy on a tight budget.

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2. Essaouira, Morocco

• Why it's cheap: Slightly more touristy than Taghazout but still very affordable — hostel beds ~$10–15/night, meals ~$5–7.
• Vibe: Artsy, windy, magical. Less beach lounging, more wandering and sipping mint tea.
• Logistics: You can bus or grand taxi from Taghazout or Agadir (~3 hrs).

✅ Great if you want a calmer, creative town with a historic twist.

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3. Dahab, Egypt (Bonus wildcard)

• Why it’s dirt cheap: Some of the most affordable diving and yoga retreats on the planet. Dorms for $5–8/night. Meals for under $3.
• Vibe: Remote, chill, spiritual, Red Sea beauty.
• Con: Longer travel time (~8–9 hrs from London with connections), visa needed.

✅ Worth it if you want to go way off the beaten path and stretch your dollar far.

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Moderately Affordable

4. Gran Canaria (Las Palmas)

• Why it’s still reasonable: Dorms from ~$20–25/night, longer stays (2+ weeks) unlock better Airbnb deals. Tapas meals for $10 or less.
• Higher costs: Island prices on food/transport slightly bump up daily spend.
• But: You’re still in Spain, and budget airlines (Ryanair, Vueling) make flights cheap.

✅ A strong pick if you want a balance of warmth, coworking, and city life.

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5. Lagos, Portugal

• Why it’s a bit pricier in Nov: Still relatively affordable, but Portugal is catching on. Hostels from ~$25/night, meals ~$10+.
• Bonus: Off-season calm, epic coastline, and everything is walkable.

✅ Best for beauty and chill if you're okay with mid-range affordability.

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Summary:

Taghazout/Tamraght		Surf, sun, quiet spiritual vibe
Essaouira		Artsy coastal energy
Dahab, Egypt		Extreme affordability + solitude
Gran Canaria		Warmth + city/coworking balance
Lagos, Portugal		Coastal charm + relaxed pace

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Would you like a sample 2-week budget breakdown or hostel recs for any of these spots?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Even us who travel a lot, we had a hard time winnowing down our packing list to fit 10 days trip in a handcarry for macchu picchu and the amazon. Figuring out exactly how most economical packing for heat and cold and unsure if we really needed everything we thought we did. It helped.

Most recently I was toying with Tokyo to Hakone was 1 night enough to do the Hakone loop? The answer was yes it could be but it would be a better flow if we started the day before and spent 2 nights in Hakone beating the people who try to do it in one day. Also it helped me decide to return to tokyo for a flight out the day before instead of traveling all day back from Osaka. It was piecing out the train options.