Weekly roundup

Remember that time when getting kids involved in the grocery list meant a battle over sugary cereals? 

Mine sure do. But lately, something changed. Just last week, we had the kids help plan our grocery list using AI. And, honestly, it was... different. Not just painless, but almost fun.

It got me thinking: we often talk about AI in big, abstract terms, right? Like, "it's going to change the world" or "disrupt industries." But what about the small, everyday shifts happening in our homes, the ones that make family life just a little bit smoother? Because AI isn't just for big tech companies or tax departments anymore. It's whispering suggestions for dinner, helping us find coupons we'd never spot, and even making allowance math a breeze.

Imagine a world where meal planning isn't a dreaded Sunday chore, but a collaborative effort with a smart assistant that knows your family's tastes and dietary needs.

Think about waving your phone over a mountain of receipts, and poof, your budget updates itself. Or maybe your kids, instead of arguing about who did what chore, see their earnings automatically calculated and linked to their goals.

Sound wild? It's not. Families across the country are already exploring how AI can quietly, powerfully, transform household management. This isn't some far-off future; it's happening in kitchens and living rooms right now. And it’s making the often-stressful world of family budgeting a whole lot more manageable.

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Family Sparks & AI-Ready Solutions

The idea of a "Family AI Game Plan" isn't just a catchy phrase; it's becoming a real thing for households like ours. The Department of Health and Human Services is pushing AI adoption in their workforce, but the real magic is when these tools trickle down to simplify our home lives.

Think Google Chrome's new AI features with Gemini integration – tools that can make everyday tasks like finding recipes or managing shared calendars a snap. Or Amazon’s new Alexa+ that is starting to roll out to select households (including ours!)

This week, we're all about making your family budget not just bearable, but brilliant, with a little AI help.

• Meal Planning Mastery: Forget the endless "What's for dinner?" debates. AI can suggest meals based on what's on sale, your family's preferences, and even what you have in the fridge.

• Coupon Clipping (Without the Scissors): AI tools scan for the best deals, ensuring you save money without scouring circulars.

• Allowance Accountability: Set up a system where chore completion and allowance payments are tracked and calculated automatically. No more nagging, just clear incentives.

• Receipt Scanning Sanity: Snap a picture, and watch AI categorize your expenses, helping you stay on top of your spending without hours of manual data entry.

From the Blog: AI in Your Family's Week

• Planning Our Family Day at ArtPrize 2025: a hopeful, practical plan

• Plan the perfect family day at ArtPrize 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI (September 18–October 4). Discover kid-friendly art installations, family restaurants, and practical tips for parking, accessibility, and safety — all organized with the help of AI tools to make your visit stress-free and memorable."

From My Home to Yours

This week, as I watched my almost 8-year-old help meal-plan with AI — without a single complaint about broccoli — I realized: the magic isn’t just in the big breakthroughs. It’s in the quiet little moments where tech gives us breathing room as parents.

On that note, we just got early access to Alexa+, and I’m genuinely impressed. It now recognizes individual voices, which means no more surprise toy deliveries from my 3-year-old shouting “Buy it!” into the kitchen speaker. Even better? The kids now get age-appropriate responses, music, and safer interactions, tailored just for them.

AI isn’t just changing how we manage money or chores — it’s helping us create safer, smarter homes. And when it works well, it feels less like tech... and more like peace of mind.

Till next time — keep parenting smart, and let AI do the heavy lifting where it can. 🧠💡

— Warren Schuitema