My parents are pretty tech savvy. They can FaceTime their grandkids with ease, program reminders in Alexa+ and have even dabbled with ChatGPT — or, as my mom calls it “ChatGap.” She uses AI only on occasion, but treats it mostly like a search engine.
But, for the most part, they still Google everything, keep notes on paper and call me whenever something feels slightly technical such as changing the Wi-Fi password. So I tried something different.
Instead of explaining how ChatGPT works, I gave them some simple prompts they could copy and paste — no learning curve or guesswork. Within a week, they were using AI regularly — every single day, in fact.
Here are the seven prompts that actually stuck.
1. The 'make this simple' prompt
Prompt: “Explain this in simple terms like I’m new to it: [paste anything]”
This was the breakthrough. Whether it was a confusing email from a financial advisor, a medical explanation or a news story, this prompt turned overwhelming information into something they could actually understand — fast.
Instead of texting me screenshots, they started pasting things into ChatGPT first. This prompt works because it removes intimidation instantly.
2. The 'save me money this week' prompt
Prompt: “I want to save $100 this week without making big lifestyle changes. Give me a simple plan I can follow today.”
This one stuck immediately. It gave them quick, realistic ways to cut costs — canceling unused subscriptions, adjusting grocery habits and even small energy savings at home. Best of all, it didn’t require budgeting apps or an extra spreadsheet. This prompt works because it’s fast, specific and feels doable right from the start.
3. The 'plan my day' prompt
Prompt: “Here’s what I need to do today: [list tasks]. Organize this into a simple plan I can follow without feeling overwhelmed.”
Although my mom is retired, she has a pretty busy schedule and active social life. I gave her this prompt to help her see her day with clarity so she could stay organized. Now, instead of staring at a long to-do list, she has a clear, structured plan with priorities and timing. Sometimes she will rely on Alexa+ for reminders, so this prompt helps her get started. And more importantly — it makes the day feel manageable.
4. The 'what should I make for dinner?' prompt
Prompt: “I have [list ingredients]. What’s an easy dinner I can make tonight?”
This one might be the most used. It eliminates decision fatigue and utilizes ingredients my mom already has, so she avoids scrolling through recipes or having the same boring meals day after day. This prompt solves a daily problem almost instantly.
5. The 'what do I do next?' prompt
Prompt:“I’m trying to [goal]. What’s the next simple step I should take today?”
With so much free time, sometimes the question becomes, “what should I do first?” or “next?” This prompt is now their go-to for everything — from tech issues to planning trips to handling paperwork. Instead of getting stuck, they now have a starting point, which helps eliminate decision paralysis.
6. The 'check this before I send it' prompt
Prompt: “Can you review this message and make sure it sounds clear, polite and professional? Keep my tone but improve it if needed: [paste message]”
This one took off fast. Instead of second-guessing emails or texts, they started running everything through ChatGPT first — especially anything even slightly important. My mom sells quilts online and often needs to write unique descriptions of the quilts and “thank you” emails to those who have made a purchase. This prompt builds confidence instantly and removes that “does this sound okay?” text to me.
7. The 'plan this for me' prompt
Prompt: “I want to [plan a trip / organize an event / schedule a day]. Give me a simple step-by-step plan with what to do first, next and last.”
This became their go-to for anything that felt even mildly overwhelming. Doctor’s appointments, trips, paperwork — you name it! Now, instead of putting it off, they just ask for a plan and started. It turns big, vague tasks into small, doable steps.
The takeaway
Opening a chatbot is easy enough, but knowing how to get started is much harder. These prompts help to eliminate intimidation and give new users an opportunity to see what AI can really do.
Try this with your own parents or older relatives. These prompts can be used on any model to make everyday life easier. The key is, if you’re trying to get someone started with ChatGPT, don’t overcomplicate it. Give them a few prompts they can actually use. That’s what makes it stick.
