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Figure out your quarterly set-aside from paid invoices only

Practice: Giving the right context. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You set aside 30% of each quarter's profit for taxes, and you only count invoices actually paid. Write exactly 3 numbered lines: 1) paid income added up, 2) expenses added up, 3) set-aside = (income − expenses) x 30%, each with the math. Plain text, under 60 words, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not saying you count paid invoices only. The AI adds Harbor's unpaid $1,500. Try: Add: "Only invoices actually paid in Q3."
  • Not giving your rule. The AI guesses a tax rate or lectures about brackets. Try: Add: "I set aside 30% of profit."
  • Not asking to see the work. You'll want to recheck this before you move money. Try: Add a line to copy: "2. Expenses: 120 + 300 + 580 = $1,000"
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 14 words."
  • Forgetting where it goes. AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in your money notes. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Counts paid invoices only
  • Gives the 30% rule
  • Asks to show the math
  • Sets a word limit
  • Asks for plain text

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