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Find what changed on your phone bill

  • For Freelancers and creators
  • You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

Your phone bill jumped and you want to know why before calling the carrier. Compare this month to last month and get exactly 4 numbered lines in plain text, under 90 words: line 1 is the difference with the subtraction shown; lines 2 and 3 are the two new or changed charges with their amounts; line 4 is the one question to ask the carrier, starting "Ask:". Use only the bill. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Getting a line-by-line tour. The AI explains every fee on the bill, including the ones that didn't change. Try: Say: "Only the charges that are new or different from last month."
  • Not asking for the math. The AI says the bill went up without the exact difference, so you can't check it. Try: Add: "Line 1: this month minus last month, with the subtraction shown."
  • Repeating rumors as fact. The AI picks up the friend's "admin fees" claim and tells you to demand refunds that aren't on the bill. Try: Add: "Use only charges on this bill."
  • No question for the call. The AI ends with general tips about switching carriers instead of a question to ask. Try: Add: "Line 4: Ask: one question about the add-on I didn't request."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 90 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "each line one sentence under 18 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Compares to last month
  • Asks for the math
  • Asks for a question for the call
  • Sets the number of lines
  • Sets a word limit

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