Page 1 of 2 — Print this. Tape it next to your computer. Start using AI today.
1 Where to Go (Pick One — Both Free)
Best start:gemini.google.comFree
Also great:chatgpt.comFree
Sign in with your Google account (same one you use for Gmail). No downloads. No credit card. No catch.
2 How to Talk to It
Type like you're talking to a smart friend, not a search engine
Full sentences beat keywords: "I'm 62 and wondering about..."
Tell it who you are and what you need
Ask follow-ups: "Can you explain that more simply?"
Don't like the answer? Say "Try again, but this time..."
3 Try These Right Now (Copy & Paste)
Check a suspicious email
"I got this email claiming to be from my bank. Here's what it says: [paste it]. Is this a scam?"
Prep for a doctor visit
"I'm seeing my doctor Tuesday about [condition]. I have 10 minutes. What are the 5 most important questions to ask?"
Understand your money
"Explain what a Roth conversion is in plain English. I'm 58 and make about $X. Does it make sense for me?"
Check a contractor quote
"A contractor quoted me $X for [job]. Is that reasonable? What questions should I ask before signing?"
Get a second opinion on anything
"My mechanic says I need [repair] for $X. Is that real? What's a fair price?"
4 Make Every Answer Better
Add your age, situation, and goal — vague questions get vague answers
Say "Explain like I'm not an expert" when it gets technical
Say "Give me a step-by-step" when you need instructions
Say "Make it shorter" or "Just the bullet points"
Say "What am I forgetting to ask?" — this one is magic
5 The Copy & Paste Shortcut
You don't have to write prompts from scratch. Copy a ready-made one, paste it in, change the parts in [BRACKETS] to your info.
Computer:Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+V paste |
Mac:Cmd+C / Cmd+V Phone: Tap & hold to select, tap Copy, tap & hold in chat, Paste
6 Stay Safe
Never type these into AI
Social Security numbers, bank account or card numbers
Passwords or PINs
Full medical record numbers
Always do this
Double-check any numbers, dates, or medical info AI gives you
Use AI to prepare for professional advice, not replace it
Start a new chat for each new topic (keeps answers focused)
Copy good answers into a document before closing the tab
⭐ The One Sentence That Changes Everything
"Before you answer, ask me any questions you need to give me a better response."
This makes AI interview YOU first. Better input = dramatically better output.
1
The AI Ladder — 6 Levels from Beginner to Power User
You don't have to climb all of these. Most people get massive value from Levels 1-3 alone. But it's nice to know what's possible.
Level 1Ask It Questions
What it feels like: Google, but it actually answers you in plain English.
Example: "What's the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA? I'm 57." What you get: A clear, personalized explanation instead of 10 blue links.
Level 2Give It Your Context
What it feels like: talking to an advisor who actually knows your situation.
How: Save a short "About Me" paragraph (age, job, goals, health situation). Paste it at the top of important conversations. The shift: AI stops giving generic advice and starts giving your advice.
Level 3Use Power Prompts
What it feels like: hiring a $300/hr professional for free.
What: Pre-written prompts that do specific jobs — audit a contractor quote, prep for a doctor visit, write a speech, analyze your retirement gap. How: Copy the prompt, paste it in, change the [BRACKETS] to your info. Done.
Most people stop here — and that's fine.
Levels 1-3 already replace thousands of dollars in professional services. Everything below is for when you get curious. No rush. No pressure. It'll be there when you're ready.
Level 4Build Simple Workflows
What it feels like: the boring stuff handles itself.
Example: You get a medical bill. You paste it into a prompt that (1) checks for errors, (2) compares to fair pricing, (3) drafts an appeal letter — all in one go. How: Chain 2-3 prompts together. Tell AI: "Now take that output and do this next."
Level 5Build a Personal Brain
What it feels like: having a research department that knows everything you know.
What: Feed AI your health records, financial docs, research notes, family info — it remembers across conversations. Tools: Google's NotebookLM (free), ChatGPT memory, or a simple document you paste in. Result: AI that knows your medications, your portfolio, your family tree.
Level 6AI Agents — Your Digital Staff
What it feels like: hiring an employee who works 24/7 and never complains.
What: AI that doesn't just answer — it does things. Monitors your investments, watches for scam patterns, tracks prices, sends you weekly summaries. Coming fast: Google, OpenAI, and others are building this right now. By 2027, this will be as normal as email. You don't need to understand it yet. Just know it's coming.
The secret nobody tells you about AI:
The people who get the most out of it aren't the youngest or the most technical. They're the ones with the most life experience to pour into it. You've got 50+ years of context, judgment, and knowledge. AI is the tool that finally lets you use all of it.
Want 101 ready-made prompts you can copy, paste, and use today?
Free cheat sheet + full toolkit available at scovert.com/ai-cheat-sheet