I Asked 3 AIs What the Biggest Wastes of Money Will Be This Holiday Season: Here’s What They Said
Written by
Kathryn Jackson
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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The holidays can bring out our most generous side and our biggest spending mistakes. To find out which purchases might not be worth the hype this year, I asked Grok, ChatGPT and Copilot for their take. From overpriced decor to trendy tech, their answers below might make you think twice before reaching for your wallet this holiday season.
Grok
This artificial intelligence(AI) chatbot had five areas that it thought would be the biggest wastes of money for the holiday season this year.
- Excessive holiday decorations (such as new inflatables, lights and themed setups)
- Wrapping paper, ribbon and packaging
- Impulse buys and “deals” (such as Black Friday hype)
- Pet costumes and themed treats
- Overpriced food and leftovers
ChatGPT
ChatGPT also had five categories that it felt were not important enough to spend extra money on this holiday.
- Big-ticket impulse gifts and “deals” (such as Black Friday)
- Carrying holiday debt
- Gifts nobody wants
- Travel, meals or experiences booked without budgeting
- Trendy purchases driven by hype
Copilot
Copilot mentioned 10 categories where money could be spent excessively during the holiday season.
- Overspending on gifts
- Fancy wrapping and cards
- Trendy products
- Holiday decor
- Over budget on food and drinks
- Last-minute travel and experiences
- Subscription boxes and bundles
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases
- Real vs. artificial Christmas Trees
- Hidden fees and shipping costs
Comparison of Grok, Chat GPT and Copilot
In comparison, these areas were agreed upon by either two or all three of the AI chatbots:
- Overspending on food and drinks
- Holiday decor
- Fancy wrapping and cards
- Trendy purchases, impulse buys and purchasing deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Over-budget travel and experiences
Tips To Avoid Wasting Money on Holiday Purchasing
According to the National Retail Federation, holiday spending in 2024 was expected to reach $902 per person when considering food, gifts, seasonal items and decor. Out of the $902 per person, gift spending was estimated at $641, which left $261 for food, decor and seasonal items.
Here are some suggestions to avoid wasting money this year on holiday purchases.
Review Last Year’s Spending and Set a Realistic Holiday Budget
National Debt Relief suggested looking over last year’s bank and credit card statements and circling any spending that surprised you to avoid the same trap this year.
Set a realistic budget by figuring out how much money you have available for holiday spending after subtracting the money for rent, groceries, utilities, bills, savings and minimum debt payments. Asking the question, “What can be trimmed or traded for a lower-cost version?” is a great way to help stick to the budget.
Assign Spending Categories
When settling on a total amount for the holiday budget, assign amounts for each holiday spending category. Prioritize what matters most and if possible, add in 10% of the holiday budget for surprises.
Look for Ways To Save on Food, Decor and Gifts
Check food and pantry items before shopping and shop sales to save on any holiday food and drinks you still need. Swap and share wrapping paper, cards and decor with friends and family. Plan to give meaningful gifts instead of expensive ones (such as recipe books, framed photos and experience coupons). Make purchases during Black Friday and Cyber Monday only if you are planning to spend on specific items.
Plan Ahead for Travel Purchases
If traveling by plane, plan for extra items like rideshares, airport food and baggage fees. According to AAA, the average domestic plane ticket in 2024 cost $830 and an average international ticket was 13% more at $1,630. You can save on airfare by checking for holiday airfare prices in mid-October. Traveling mid-week is usually cheaper than on the weekends, according to The Points Guy. Also, check price-monitoring websites to get better deals on holiday flights.
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