5 things you're paying for that Claude does for free
Copy a prompt, paste it into Claude, then replace the [square brackets] with your own details. Each takes 2 minutes or less to set up.
From a Financial Controller & Chartered Accountant
Start in 3 steps
Go to claude.ai and sign up with your email or Google account. The free plan is enough to try these.
Tap Copy on any prompt below.
Paste it into Claude and replace the [square brackets] with your own details.
01
Budget spreadsheet builder
Set up: 2 minutes
Replaces: the paid budgeting app or template
Build me a simple monthly budget I can paste into a spreadsheet. My monthly income after tax: [amount]. My fixed costs: [list with amounts]. My spending categories: [list]. My savings goal: [amount] a month. Give it as a table with columns for category, planned amount and actual amount, plus the formulas for the totals and what is left over. Tell me where to paste it. Ask me anything you need first.
Use rounded numbers and leave out account details.
02
Meal planner
Set up: 60 seconds
Replaces: the meal kit, or the takeaway you order when nothing is planned
You are my meal planner. Plan 7 dinners for [number of people] on a weekly grocery budget of [amount]. We eat: [list]. We avoid: [list]. Use what is already in my pantry: [list]. Reuse ingredients across meals to cut waste. Give me a shopping list grouped by aisle with rough costs. Ask me anything you need first.
Turn on web search so it can check current prices.
03
Skincare ingredient checker
Set up: 60 seconds
Replaces: buying a third product that does the same job as the first two
Below is the ingredient list from my [product type]. Explain in plain words what each main ingredient does. Flag any that commonly irritate [dry / oily / sensitive] skin. Tell me which ingredients overlap with my other products: [list]. Do not tell me to buy or avoid a brand. Ask me anything you need first.
Claude can get ingredient details wrong, so patch test anything new. See a doctor or pharmacist for any skin condition.
04
Interview practice partner
Set up: 30 seconds
Replaces: the interview coach, and helps you ask for the salary you want
You are my interview coach for a [job title] role at a [type of company]. Here is the job description: [paste]. Ask me one question at a time and wait for my answer. After each answer, tell me what was strong, what was vague and how to tighten it with a real example. Include one question about salary expectations and help me answer it. After 8 questions, give me my 3 biggest things to improve. Be honest, not encouraging for the sake of it.
Do not paste your current salary slip or employer details you are not allowed to share.
05
Fitness plan
Set up: 30 seconds
Replaces: the trainer, gym or online program you were paying for
Build me a [number] day a week workout plan I can do at [home / the park / a gym]. Goal: [goal]. Experience: [beginner / returning / regular]. Injuries or limits: [list]. Time per session: [minutes]. Explain each exercise in plain words with an easier and harder version. Ask me how each week went and adjust the plan.
Check with your doctor first if you have an injury or health condition.
BONUS
Point the money at your future
Set up: 30 seconds
This is the reason for the other five.
Replaces: guessing what a small monthly amount could become
Each month I spend: [each thing I pay for, with the monthly amount]. Work out how much I could free up per month if I reduce these by [percentage I choose]. Then show what that monthly amount could grow to over 5, 10 and 20 years at an assumed return of [X]% a year that I choose. Label it as an illustration, not a prediction, and show the working.
Returns are never guaranteed, so check the maths yourself.
General education only, not financial advice.
Before you paste anything
Check the numbers. Claude can get them wrong.
Never paste your tax ID, bank details or account numbers into Claude.