- - I Asked ChatGPT To Create a Money Plan That Protects Me From an Unstable Economy

Laura BogartFebruary 1, 2026 at 6:26 PM

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If you’re like me, you’re a little anxious about the economy. It’s not just the headlines; it’s the lived experience. Your weekly grocery shopping feels like playing Jenga with your budget. You’re taking antacids before checking your portfolio. And you're not entirely sure how you would handle a sudden, expensive surprise.

OK, so maybe you’re not just a little anxious about the economy. Maybe you’re very anxious — and unsure how to protect yourself.

Ideally, you’d consult a financial expert who could give you personalized advice based on your personal situation. But not everyone has immediate access to an advisor — or the budget for one — especially during periods of economic uncertainty. So what can you do in the meantime?

I tried something unexpected: I asked ChatGPT.

I asked the AI to create a money plan that would protect me from economic uncertainty. Here’s what it said.

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1. Build a “Don’t Panic” Cash Buffer

The AI promised to deliver a “practical, defensive money plan designed to hold up in an unstable economy (inflation, layoffs, market swings), without assuming you’re rich or a finance nerd … Think of this as financial shock absorbers.”

I mean, I am kind of a finance nerd, but point taken.

Its first piece of advice is definitely practical — and it aligns with what I’ve heard from many human experts: Put away three to six months of essential expenses in a high-yield savings account.

ChatGPT explained its reasoning, which I’m quoting verbatim:

Cash is boring, but boring = power during chaos

It protects you from selling investments at the worst possible time

It buys you time if income drops

2. Pay Down High-Interest Debt

Next, ChatGPT advised me to take care of my high-interest debt — technically, its advice was to “kill” that debt, but this is a family publication that doesn’t traffic in violent imagery. Joking aside, the AI’s advice to focus on paying off high-interest debt like credit cards, payday loans and personal loans was solid.

It listed “why this matters in unstable economies”:

Interest rates often rise

Debt makes every downturn worse

Paying off a 20% card = better than any “safe” investment

ChatGPT did note a few exceptions — debts that “can wait,” such as low-rate fixed mortgages and some federal student loans.

3. Diversify Like You Don’t Trust Anyone

For the record, this is ChatGPT’s wording for its own suggestion — and it makes me wonder if ChatGPT can diagnose the source of its own trust issues. Still, the advice itself is sound.

Diversification matters not only for investments, but also for income. The goal is to avoid being overly dependent on any single source of money when economic conditions shift.

The AI divided this guidance into two parts, which I’ll quote directly here:

A. Investments

Basic defensive mix:

Stocks (global, not just one country) — growth over time

Bonds — stability when stocks freak out

Real assets — inflation protection (REITs, commodities funds)

B. Income diversification

Ask yourself: If my main income disappeared, what’s Plan B?

Options:

A side skill (freelance, consulting, tutoring, digital products)

Certifications that increase employability

A small, scalable income stream (something sustainable)

“This is often more powerful than any investment,” the AI said.

4. Inflation Armor

I like this image of donning a breastplate against the arrows of inflation. The AI even conjured a dragon-like image of inflation “silently eating cash.” It encouraged me to defend myself with the following items and actions:

Assets that can rise with prices (stocks, real estate, inflation-protected bonds)

Skills that let you negotiate higher pay

Avoid locking too much money into long-term fixed returns when inflation is high

“Cash is for safety, not growth,” the AI said.

5. Keep Your Lifestyle Flexible

ChatGPT offered the truly pragmatic advice to avoid lifestyle creep and keep expenses low and flexible when possible. “This is sneaky but crucial,” it said.

Always helpful, the AI offered clear tips:

Keep fixed costs low (housing, car, subscriptions)

Avoid lifestyle inflation when income rises

Rent flexibility > owning something that traps cash

It summed things up with a succinct motto: “Flexibility = resilience.”

The Bottom Line

While I’d ultimately recommend consulting a human advisor for financial planning — especially when major life decisions or complex investments are involved — I’ll admit that ChatGPT offered solid foundational advice.

You can start taking some of these steps now to protect yourself, while also giving yourself smart talking points for your first meeting with an advisor.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.

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Source: “AOL Money”