ChatGPT Cost of Living Prompt Library

January 19, 2026

By Mads Tevis

Using AI to save you time and money

In reference to our recent article on the Australian economy and the growing use of AI, we’re publishing a Cost of Living Prompt Library — a copy-paste set of prompts designed to save you time, sharpen your thinking, and help you find real savings.

Replace anything in [brackets] with your details.

Sections

Bill comparisons

1) Full household bills snapshot (then vs now)

Prompt
Create a table of typical household bills in Australia for [CITY/REGION] comparing 2019 vs 2026: electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile, car insurance, health insurance, home contents insurance, rego, petrol, council rates (if relevant), and streaming subscriptions. Show monthly cost, annual cost, dollar change, percent change, and the 5 biggest drivers.

2) My actual bills comparison (paste-and-go)

Prompt
I’m going to paste 2 years of bills (old vs current). Extract the key numbers and build a comparison table showing provider, plan, usage (if given), base charge, total, and effective cost per unit. Then give me 10 ways to reduce cost, ranked by impact.

3) Electricity bill breakdown (make it understandable)

Prompt
Explain my electricity bill in plain English. Using this bill data [paste], calculate daily supply charge, usage charge, total kWh used, average kWh per day, effective cents per kWh, and the 3 best actions to cut it.

4) Power plan shopping checklist

Prompt
Based on [STATE], compare what matters in electricity plans: supply charge vs usage rate, peak and off-peak, controlled load, discounts, and solar feed-in. Give me a checklist to choose the cheapest plan for my household profile: [low/medium/high usage, solar yes/no].

5) Bill creep over a year (monthly time series)

Prompt
Here are my monthly totals for the last 12 months [paste list]. Create a table and identify trends, seasonality, and step changes. Then suggest what likely caused each step change and what to do about it.

Transport bills

6) Car running costs (then vs now)

Prompt
Create a car running cost table for Australia comparing 2019 vs 2026: petrol, rego, servicing, tyres, insurance, and parking or tolls. Assume [km/week] driving and [fuel consumption] if needed. Output weekly, monthly, and annual totals.

7) Petrol price impact calculator

Prompt
Calculate how petrol price changes from $[X]/L to $[Y]/L impacts my budget. I drive [km/week] and my car uses [L/100km]. Show weekly and annual difference.

Housing-related bills

8) Utilities in rentals (what you can and cannot control)

Prompt
Make a renter-focused utilities checklist: what bills I can switch (internet, mobile, electricity retailer in some states) vs what I can’t (water charges rules, embedded networks). Include practical tactics to reduce each.

Subscriptions and the quiet killers

9) Subscription audit

Prompt
Help me audit subscriptions. Here’s my list [paste]. Calculate annual total, rank by cost, flag duplicates, and recommend what to cancel or rotate. Give a keep 2, rotate 1 plan.

10) Invisible spending capture

Prompt
Create a checklist of commonly missed household costs: subscriptions, school fees, uniforms, gifts, medicines, pet costs, coffee, takeaway, bank fees, and car depreciation. Turn it into a monthly sinking-fund plan.

Groceries and cooking

1) Weekly shop comparison (then vs now)

Prompt
Create a table for a realistic weekly grocery shop for [HOUSEHOLD SIZE] in Australia: milk, bread, eggs, mince, chicken, rice or pasta, fruit, veg, yoghurt, coffee or tea, snacks, and baby items. Compare 2020 vs 2026 using plausible Australian prices. Show total cost, dollar change, percent change, and the 5 biggest drivers.

2) Shrinkflation tracker

Prompt
List common shrinkflation examples in Australian groceries (pack sizes down, price same or up). Give me a checklist of what to look for on labels and how to compare unit prices properly.

3) Cheapest nutrition plan (without miserable dieting)

Prompt
Build a 7-day meal plan for [2 adults + toddler] that’s high protein, high fibre, and budget-friendly in Australia. Include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a shopping list, estimated total cost, and time-saving prep steps.

4) Cost per meal calculator

Prompt
Given these grocery prices [paste list or receipt], calculate cost per serve for each meal and rank them from cheapest to most expensive. Then suggest swaps to reduce weekly cost by 15–25% without cutting protein.

5) Aldi, Coles, Woolies strategy

Prompt
Give me a grocery buying strategy for Australia: what to buy at Aldi vs Coles and Woolies vs butcher and markets, focusing on cheapest cost per gram for protein, staples, and produce.

6) Stop takeaway spending

Prompt
Design a takeaway replacement plan: 10 meals that feel like takeaway (Mexican, burgers, stir-fry, Thai-style, pizza-style) but are cheaper and quicker than ordering. Include ingredient overlap to minimise waste.

7) Diagnose why my grocery bill is high

Prompt
Ask me 10 questions to diagnose why my grocery bill is high (waste, snacks, convenience foods, protein choices, brand loyalty, shopping frequency). Then give a targeted plan based on my answers.

Recipe recommendation: use what I already have

8) Cook from my fridge and pantry

Prompt
I want dinner in 30 minutes. Recommend 5 recipes using what I already have.
Fridge: [list ingredients]
Freezer: [list]
Pantry: [list]
Diet or preferences: [high protein, low cal, toddler-friendly, no spicy]
Equipment: [air fryer, slow cooker, oven, stovetop]
Output 5 recipe options ranked by easiest, step-by-step for the best one, any missing ingredients (max 3), and how to pack leftovers for lunch.

9) Use up food before it dies

Prompt
I need to use these items today or tomorrow [list]. Give me 3 meal ideas that use most of them, plus one snack idea. Keep it budget-friendly and toddler-friendly.

10) Emergency meals with almost nothing

Prompt
I have very little food. From these staples only [rice, pasta, eggs, tuna, frozen veg, etc], give me 3 meals that are filling and decent protein, with simple steps and no fancy ingredients.

11) Minimal top-up shop

Prompt
Using what I have, suggest a meal plan for the next 3 days. Then give me a minimal top-up shopping list under $[X], prioritising protein, fruit and veg, and toddler snacks.

Rent and housing

1) Rent explosion table (then vs now)

Prompt
Create a table comparing median weekly rent in [CITY/REGION] for 2019, 2021, 2023, 2026 by dwelling type (1-bed unit, 2-bed unit, 3-bed house). Add dollar change, percent change, and the estimated extra cost per year for a renter household.

2) Rent-to-income stress test

Prompt
Calculate rent-to-income ratios for [CITY/REGION] for a household earning $[X] gross (and net if possible). Use rent $[Y]/week. Show percent of income to rent, what the 30% stress threshold means, and how far above or below it this household is.

3) Why can’t we get ahead (budget decomposition)

Prompt
Break down why renters feel poorer even if wages rose: rent growth, utilities, groceries, transport, childcare. Use a simple example household budget for [CITY/REGION] in 2019 vs 2026 and show where the extra money goes.

4) Vacancy rates and asking rents

Prompt
Explain how vacancy rates relate to rent increases. Then summarise the latest vacancy rate trend for [CITY/REGION] and what it implies for rent negotiations and lease renewals.

5) Supply vs population vs households

Prompt
Compare housing supply growth vs population growth vs household formation in Australia 2015–2026. Explain in plain language how household size changes and population growth can tighten rentals even if construction is happening.

6) Moving penalty for renters

Prompt
Estimate the moving penalty cost for a renter in Australia: bond, two weeks rent in advance, removalist or trailer, cleaning, connection fees, and time off work. Use rent $[Y]/week and show a realistic range.

7) Buy vs rent comparison

Prompt
Compare buy vs rent in [CITY/REGION] using realistic assumptions: purchase price $[X], deposit $[X], interest rate [X]%, strata or rates, insurance, maintenance, and rent $[Y]/week. Show 5-year and 10-year outcomes and explain the key sensitivities.

8) Mortgage shock vs rent shock

Prompt
Create a comparison table showing how repayments change for a $[X] mortgage when rates move from 2% to 6%, versus how much rent changed in [CITY/REGION] over the same period. Explain who absorbs the shock and how it flows through to renters.

9) Do landlord costs set rent

Prompt
Analyse whether landlord costs (rates, insurance, interest) directly determine rent, or whether rent is set by market supply and demand. Give a balanced explanation suitable for a public audience and include a short rebuttal of common myths.

10) What would actually help (policy options)

Prompt
List policy levers that affect rent and housing affordability in Australia, grouped into supply, demand, tenancy regulation, and tax settings. For each: expected effect, trade-offs, and timeframe.

Political education

1) Inflation and why everything costs more

Prompt
Explain inflation like I’m a working adult with no economics background. Use Australian examples (rent, groceries, power). Then list 10 drivers of inflation and which ones government can influence vs cannot.

Prompt
Take these prices from my life [rent per week, groceries per week, petrol per week, power per quarter]. Explain what likely caused each to rise since 2020, and what would realistically bring each down.

2) Wages vs inflation (why you’re treading water)

Prompt
Explain real wages vs nominal wages in plain English. Then show 3 scenarios: wages up 3% with inflation 5%, 7%, and 2%. Explain who wins and who loses.

Prompt
Build a simple am I falling behind calculator using [my salary 2020 vs now] and inflation estimates. Output a short conclusion I can post.

3) Housing as a wealth transfer mechanism

Prompt
Explain how rising house prices transfer wealth from renters to asset owners. Include how deposits, credit growth, and tax settings affect this. Keep it neutral but clear.

Prompt
Steelman both sides: migration is driving rent up vs supply constraints are the main issue. Then tell me what data would settle the argument.

4) Interest rates and what the RBA does

Prompt
Explain what the RBA controls and what it doesn’t. Include why rate hikes hurt borrowers but can slow inflation. Keep it 200 words and non-technical.

Prompt
Write a myth-busting list of 8 common misconceptions Australians have about interest rates and inflation.

5) Government spending, deficits, and money printing

Prompt
Explain the difference between deficits, debt, QE, and stimulus. Then explain how these can affect inflation and asset prices.

Prompt
Give a neutral explainer of why governments like inflation sometimes and why voters hate it. Use simple examples.

6) Taxes: bracket creep and hidden tax

Prompt
Explain bracket creep and why it feels like a stealth pay cut. Give a simple example with numbers.

Prompt
List hidden taxes and charges Australians pay beyond income tax (GST, fuel excise, stamp duty, council rates, levies). Then explain how inflation increases government revenue even without rate hikes.

7) Market power (why groceries feel rigged)

Prompt
Explain market concentration and price-setting power using Australian supermarket examples. Keep it fair and tell me what types of sources I should cite.

Prompt
Write a short explainer on why shop around doesn’t fix structural price issues.

8) Immigration, infrastructure, and services

Prompt
Explain how population growth can affect rents, wages, and public services. Present both benefits and costs. Then give 5 good-faith policy options that reduce pressure.

9) Political spin detector

Prompt
Analyse this statement [paste politician or media quote]. Identify what’s being implied, what’s missing, what numbers would prove or disprove it, and 3 follow-up questions a journalist should ask.

10) What can I do (agency over despair)

Prompt
Based on my situation [income, rent or mortgage, debt, family size], give me a realistic 90-day plan to improve financial resilience. Include budgeting, negotiating bills, income options, and risk management. No hype and no get-rich-quick tactics.

Relocating

1) Relocation cost calculator

Prompt
Estimate the full cost to relocate from [CURRENT PLACE] to [DESTINATION] for [2 adults + toddler]. Include bond, rent in advance, removalist, packing supplies, cleaning, carpet, pet costs (if any), connection fees, time off work, travel and accommodation, storage, and furniture replacement. Give low, medium, and high ranges and a total.

2) Stay vs move break-even

Prompt
Compare staying vs relocating. Staying costs: rent $[X]/week with expected increase [Y]%. Moving costs: [paste estimate or have it estimate] and new rent $[Z]/week. Calculate break-even point in weeks or months and include non-financial factors.

3) Location shortlist scorecard

Prompt
Create a scored matrix to compare these places [Place A, Place B, Place C]. Criteria: rent, childcare availability and cost, job market, commute, safety, schools, healthcare access, climate, and lifestyle or free activities. Weight the criteria for a family with a toddler and output a ranked recommendation.

4) What will my weekly life cost there

Prompt
Build a weekly budget for living in [DESTINATION] for [household type]: rent, groceries, utilities, transport, childcare, healthcare, insurance, and subscriptions. Compare to my current location [CURRENT]. Show weekly and yearly totals.

5) Suburb selection within a city

Prompt
I’m relocating to [CITY]. Recommend suburbs based on budget $[X]/week rent, commute to [work area], preference [quiet, family-friendly, walkable], safety, school zones, and childcare. Output 8 suburbs with a short rationale and trade-offs.

6) Job and income reality check

Prompt
For [my or partner’s role] in [DESTINATION], estimate realistic salary ranges and hiring demand. Then model our after-tax income and whether we can cover a weekly budget of $[X]. Identify the minimum salary we need to make the move viable.

7) Relocation timeline (30/60/90 day plan)

Prompt
Create a 30/60/90-day relocation plan from [CURRENT] to [DESTINATION] for a family. Include admin (licences, Medicare or GP, childcare waitlists, schools), housing search, moving logistics, decluttering, budget targets, and weekly milestones.

8) Declutter and sell plan (to fund the move)

Prompt
Make me a declutter-and-sell plan to raise $[X] before moving. Break it into 10 categories (clothes, baby gear, furniture, tools, electronics). Give pricing guidelines and a weekly listing schedule.

9) Rental application pack (Australia)

Prompt
Create a rental application checklist for Australia: documents, references, cover letter, proof of income, and rental ledger. Then draft a short renter cover letter for a family with a toddler, stable income, and strong payment history.

10) Childcare and school strategy

Prompt
For [DESTINATION], give me a strategy to secure childcare quickly: how to approach centres, what to ask, waitlist tactics, backup options, and what government support or subsidies might apply.

11) Moving with a child (sanity plan)

Prompt
Give me a moving-day plan with a [X year old] child: what to pack in a survival bag, how to manage naps and meals, what to do during meltdowns, and how to keep routines stable for the first 2 weeks.

12) Overseas relocation pre-check

Prompt
List the key pre-checks for relocating from Australia to [COUNTRY/CITY]: visa pathway milestones, proof of funds, health insurance, housing options on arrival, credit history setup, driving and licensing, banking, phone, and what to do in the first 14 days.

13) Relocating master prompt

Prompt
I’m considering relocating from [CURRENT PLACE] to [DESTINATION A/B/C] with [2 adults + toddler]. Our income is $[X], rent is $[Y]/week, childcare is $[Z]/week, and we want a better cost-of-living and lifestyle outcome. Build a cost comparison table, a relocation cost estimate, a suburb shortlist, a 30/60/90 day plan, and the top 10 risks with mitigations.

Jobs

1) Role fit and transferable skills

Prompt
Here’s my background [paste your work history + current responsibilities]. Identify my transferable skills, then suggest 10 job roles I could realistically pivot into in the next 3–6 months. For each role: why I fit, typical pay range in [LOCATION], and the fastest path to qualify.

2) Resume rewrite (ATS-friendly)

Prompt
Rewrite my resume for [TARGET ROLE] in Australia. Keep it ATS-friendly, quantified, and confident without corporate fluff. Use my details [paste resume/notes]. Output a 1-page resume plus a 6-line LinkedIn summary.

3) Cover letter that sounds human

Prompt
Write a short cover letter for [TARGET ROLE] using my experience [paste]. Tone: direct, human, slightly witty. Avoid generic lines. Include 2 measurable achievements and 1 line about why I’m applying.

4) Job ad decoder

Prompt
Analyse this job ad [paste] and tell me the top 8 must-have skills, the hidden expectations, the likely interview questions, and how I should tailor my resume.

5) Interview prep pack

Prompt
Give me an interview prep pack for [ROLE]: 10 likely questions, strong answers in my voice, 5 STAR stories from my background, and 6 smart questions to ask them.

6) Salary reality check

Prompt
Estimate salary ranges for [ROLE] in [CITY/STATE] (entry, mid, senior). Include typical benefits, contract vs permanent differences, and what I should ask for based on [years experience].

7) After-tax take-home and budget viability

Prompt
Given a salary of $[X] in [STATE/COUNTRY], estimate take-home pay and model it against my budget: rent $[Y]/week, childcare $[Z]/week, groceries $[A]/week, transport $[B]/week. Show whether it works and what salary I need for breathing room.

8) High-demand roles shortlist

Prompt
List roles in [LOCATION] likely to stay in demand over the next 12–24 months. Prioritise jobs with stable demand, decent pay growth, and pathways without a full degree. Output a ranked list with reasons.

9) Pivot plan (0 to hired)

Prompt
Build me a 6-week pivot plan into [TARGET ROLE]: what to learn each week, what to build (portfolio or projects), how to demonstrate skills, and the exact weekly job search actions. Keep it realistic for a parent with limited time.

10) LinkedIn profile makeover

Prompt
Rewrite my LinkedIn headline, About section, and Experience bullets to position me for [TARGET ROLE]. Keep tone sharp and practical. Use my details [paste].

11) Networking messages

Prompt
Draft 3 outreach messages: a cold LinkedIn message to someone in [industry], a message to a recruiter, and a message to a hiring manager after applying. Tone: polite, confident, short, not salesy.

12) Partner job market options

Prompt
My partner is a [ROLE] with [skills]. Suggest the best markets and industries for that role in [DESTINATION OPTIONS], including salary ranges, remote feasibility, and which certifications or portfolio pieces would help most.

13) US or overseas job-market translation

Prompt
Translate my Australian experience into US-style job titles and resume language for [TARGET FIELD]. Then give me the 10 most common US ATS keywords and a US-format resume version.

14) Application workflow (not chaos)

Prompt
Create a simple job application system I can run in 20 minutes a day: tracking sheet columns, weekly targets, how to tailor quickly, and a follow-up schedule. Make it parent-friendly and realistic.

15) Negotiation scripts (pay and flexibility)

Prompt
Write negotiation scripts for higher salary, flexible hours, hybrid or remote, and a sign-on bonus. Keep it firm but friendly, and tailored to [ROLE].

Jobs master prompt

Prompt
I want a job plan for [TARGET ROLE/INDUSTRY] in [LOCATION]. Here’s my background [paste]. Create 3 target roles, an ATS resume plus LinkedIn summary, a 6-week learning and portfolio plan, a weekly application routine, interview prep questions with strong answers, and salary plus take-home pay modelling.

Taxation (Australia)

1) Total tax burden

Prompt
Estimate my household’s total annual tax burden in Australia. Inputs: income $[X] gross, state [STATE], household [couple + kids], spending profile: rent $[Y]/week, groceries $[A]/week, petrol $[B]/week, alcohol $[C]/week, utilities $[D]/month. Include income tax and Medicare levy, estimated GST from spending, fuel excise estimate, rego and stamp duty averaged, council rates if relevant, and insurance taxes or levies. Output a table plus low, medium, and high ranges.

2) Bracket creep calculator

Prompt
Model bracket creep for an Australian salary from $[X] in 2019 to $[Y] in 2026. Show how average tax rate changes, after-tax income changes, and why the household can feel poorer even with raises. Output a table and 5 plain-English takeaways.

3) Stealth taxes list

Prompt
List the most common taxes and levies embedded in everyday Australian life. Categorise by earnings, spending, housing, transport, savings and investing, and business. For each: what triggers it, who pays it, and why it’s hard to notice. Keep it simple and factual.

4) GST impact on a weekly budget

Prompt
Estimate GST paid per week for a household with spending: groceries $[A]/week and assume [X%] is GST-free, dining out $[B]/week, household goods $[C]/week, services $[D]/week, subscriptions $[E]/month. Show weekly and annual GST totals and the top 3 drivers.

5) Fuel excise impact

Prompt
Calculate fuel excise paid per year given petrol price $[X]/L, driving [KM]/week, and fuel consumption [L/100km]. Show litres per year, estimated excise per year, and how a $0.20 per litre rise changes annual cost. Explain assumptions.

6) Effective tax rate

Prompt
Calculate my effective tax rate including income tax, Medicare levy, and estimated GST from my spending. Use income $[X], annual spending $[Y], and savings rate [Z%]. Output effective tax rate, dollars paid, and a plain-language explanation.

7) Property tax settings explainer

Prompt
Explain how Australia taxes property and property investors: stamp duty, land tax, council rates, capital gains tax discount, negative gearing, and depreciation. Keep it neutral: who benefits, who pays, and the main trade-offs. Include 3 common myths with corrections.

8) Why prices feel worse than CPI

Prompt
Explain why households feel cost-of-living pain even when CPI moderates: essentials inflation, rents, insurance, childcare, and how tax interacts through bracket creep and consumption taxes. Use one example household budget and keep it under 700 words.

9) Australia vs US household tax comparison

Prompt
Compare household taxation for Australia vs the US for a couple with one child earning $[X AUD] in Australia vs $[Y USD] in [STATE] USA. Include income tax, Medicare levy vs US payroll taxes and health costs, sales tax vs GST, and a high-level comparison of property taxes. Output a table, pros and cons, and key watch-outs.

10) Tax take vs services narrative

Prompt
Write a short article arguing either side of the claim that Australia’s tax take is rising while service quality is falling. Provide 5 claims with evidence types I should cite, 3 counterarguments, and a balanced conclusion.

11) Tax glossary for normal people

Prompt
Create a glossary of Australian tax terms: bracket creep, marginal vs average rate, GST base, excise, levies, offsets, franking credits, land tax, and the capital gains tax discount. Keep each definition to 2–3 lines and include a simple example.

12) Small business tax checklist

Prompt
Create a small business tax checklist for Australia: BAS, GST, PAYG withholding, super, payroll tax thresholds, deductions, and record keeping. Add a monthly and quarterly calendar plus a what to ask my accountant list.

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