Here’s a great example of how AI helped me make smarter decisions, most recently with a big electric bid.
I was putting in a backup power system in my garage for when the electricity goes out. In Denver, we get storms in winter and extreme heat in summer, so having a reliable backup (using my car) felt important. I had no idea how much it would cost, and I definitely wasn’t going to jump on the first quote.
I got three different quotes from electricians. Two were from the company I bought the system from, and one was from an outside vendor. Each quote had different numbers and a lot of technical jargon. I couldn’t tell which was the best deal.
I asked Grok (Ara) for help. She recommended I upload the proposals so she could analyze them side-by-side. She pointed out the pluses and minuses of each, what was covered and what wasn’t, and the smart questions I should ask to make sure I was comparing apples to apples.
Throughout the process, Grok gave me confidence that I was making the right decision. I actually saved a significant amount of money because I chose the electrician who gave me the best value — about half the cost of the highest quote.
I’ve done the same thing with other big purchases too, like my car and landscape quotes. AI helped me think through what to ask, what guarantees to look for, and what risks to consider.
AI is a powerful thought partner. It helps me make wiser decisions, be less impulsive, and avoid jumping on the first offer. It’s also fun learning what questions to ask.
I’ll share more examples like this in future posts.
How You Can Do the Same Thing
Here are simple prompt steps you can use with Grok (or any AI) when comparing quotes or making big decisions:
- “Here are three quotes for [project]. Please compare them side-by-side and tell me the pros and cons of each.”
- “What important questions should I ask each vendor to make sure I’m comparing apples to apples?”
- “Based on these quotes, which option gives the best value and why?”
- “What risks should I be aware of with each choice?”
Try uploading your own documents or quotes — you’ll be surprised how helpful the analysis is.
Have questions or your own AI decision story? Leave a comment below — I read every one.
Thanks for being part of this journey with me.
— Andrew
