Comparing Gemini and ChatGPT: Budgeting for Food and Vacation
Managing finances effectively is crucial, especially when budgeting for food and vacations. Recent experiments pitting Google Gemini against OpenAI’s ChatGPT revealed interesting insights into how these AI tools can assist with personal finance.
Budgeting for Weekly Grocery Spending
A common challenge many face is creating a budget for grocery shopping. With rising food prices, having a practical budget can make a significant difference. A typical biweekly grocery budget might be around $175. The essential items to consider include:
- Chicken breast
- Frozen shrimp
- Vegetables
- Steak
- Rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Assorted snacks
When posed with the prompt related to budgeting for groceries, Gemini provided a categorized list in tabular format. It effectively estimated costs and gave practical tips, such as purchasing steak in family packs to save money. The incorporation of a 14-day meal plan was another benefit.
ChatGPT generated a similar table but included some additional items, which may not have been necessary. Although it provided useful suggestions, Gemini’s tailored advice and focus on current pricing made it the preferred choice for budgeting groceries.
Saving for a Vacation
Planning a vacation requires careful financial preparation. Suppose you aim to save $3,000 for a week-long trip to Orlando by October, with a monthly take-home pay of $3,500 and expenses of $1,500. In this scenario, both AI tools were prompted to create a 12-month savings roadmap.
Gemini outlined a clear plan that included estimated costs for accommodations and activities, addressing the risks of overspending effectively. ChatGPT also provided a roadmap, suggesting creative methods to save, such as naming a dedicated savings account. However, Gemini’s integration with Google Sheets and practical advice regarding hotel price hikes made it the superior option.
Choosing Between Financial Scenarios
Another crucial decision involves comparing two financial options. For instance, one could compare keeping a current car with a monthly payment of $500 (Scenario A) against selling it to buy a used car with cash and investing the payment (Scenario B).
Gemini generated a comprehensive 10-year financial comparison, detailing expected outcomes for both scenarios. In contrast, ChatGPT focused more on psychological factors and provided flexible options for analysis. Although Gemini’s numerical data was solid, ChatGPT’s broader perspective led it to win in this category by addressing emotional considerations relevant to financial decision-making.
Overall Assessment: Gemini vs. ChatGPT
Ultimately, Google Gemini emerged as the overall winner in this comparison. Its cross-integration capabilities with Google Sheets and contextual understanding of previous financial interactions added significant value. Both Gemini and ChatGPT provided useful insights into spending and saving plans, yet Gemini’s practical applications made it a standout choice for budgeting and financial advising.
