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Plan a 3-day family road trip that fits a $900 budget

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You're planning a 3-day road trip with your partner and two kids, ages 7 and 12, with a $900 budget for lodging, activities and gas. You want exactly 4 numbered lines (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Total), each showing its dollar math, under 90 words, plain text. Use the kids' prices and the hotel's kids-stay-free rule correctly, skip the attraction that's closed for the season, and use only options from your notes. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not showing the math. The AI gives round numbers you can't check. Try: Add: "Show the math on each line, like '2 x $24 + 2 x $14 = $76'."
  • Ignoring the age rules. The AI charges everyone full price or sends Leo on the zipline. Try: Add: "Use the kid prices and age limits in my notes."
  • Booking a closed attraction. The boat rental is in the list, and the AI may plan around it. Try: Add: "Skip anything closed for the season."
  • Letting the AI pick the layout. The AI writes a long itinerary with headings and food tips. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 4 numbered lines: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Total. Plain text."
  • 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 instead: "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says how many lines
  • Sets the budget
  • Asks to show the math
  • Uses the kid rules
  • Skips the closed spot

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