HerMoney with Jean Chatzky: Mailbag Episode Summary Release Date: March 28, 2025

In this insightful episode of HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, host Jean Chatzky teams up with Celia Quillian, author of AI for Life, to address listeners' pressing questions about leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life and career. This AI-themed mailbag episode delves into practical applications of AI, offering actionable advice for women navigating career transitions, enhancing productivity at home, and planning personal projects. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Navigating Career Transitions with AI

Listener Question: "I was recently laid off after 20 years at the same company. I'm looking to revamp my resume and considering a career shift. Can AI help me create an impressive resume, get past ATS bots, and suggest new career paths?" – Michelle

Discussion Highlights: Jean Chatzky introduces Michelle's concern about being laid off and the need to update her resume and explore new career opportunities.

Celia Quillian’s Insights:

• AI as a Career Coach: Celia emphasizes that AI tools like ChatGPT can act as virtual career coaches. By providing comprehensive context about one's work history, skills, interests, and desired salary, AI can generate tailored career path suggestions. "It can absolutely help with that," Celia affirms ([02:40]).

• Optimizing Resumes for ATS: AI can help customize resumes for specific job applications by identifying and integrating relevant keywords from job descriptions. Celia suggests attaching current resumes and job descriptions to AI tools to refine and enhance them, ensuring higher visibility in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Generating Cover Letters: AI can draft preliminary cover letters based on provided writing samples, which users can then personalize and finalize.

Notable Quote: "It can be a great career coach of discovering new opportunities that maybe you didn't know were out there," says Celia Quillian ([02:40]).

2. Ensuring Accuracy in AI-Generated Content

Listener Question: "Does ChatGPT ever make typos or grammatical errors?" – Jean Chatzky

Discussion Highlights: Jean raises a concern about the reliability of AI in producing error-free content.

Celia Quillian’s Response:

• Error Minimization: Celia reassures that AI like ChatGPT rarely makes typos or grammatical mistakes unless specifically prompted to. "Only if you ask it to. So, so very, so very, very rarely," she explains ([06:00]).

• User Responsibility: While AI is highly accurate, Celia advises users to verify the content generated to ensure it accurately reflects their experiences and skills.

Notable Quote: "The biggest thing to be aware of is it's guessing, it's predicting the best possible answer," Celia advises ([06:00]).

3. Using AI to Track Home Maintenance and Chores

Listener Question: "How can I use generative AI to keep track of home maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters, rotating mattresses, and deep cleaning baseboards without cluttering my Google Calendar?" – Brianne

Discussion Highlights: Brianne seeks ways to manage household tasks more efficiently using AI without overloading her digital calendars.

Celia Quillian’s Recommendations:

• Creating an Annual Schedule: AI can generate a comprehensive maintenance schedule, organizing tasks on a weekly, monthly, biannual, or annual basis.

• Spreadsheet Integration: Celia suggests converting AI-generated schedules into table formats for easy tracking and checking off completed tasks.

• Automated Reminders: Utilizing newer AI capabilities, users can set up scheduled notifications for specific tasks, ensuring timely reminders without manual input.

Notable Quote: "It will literally do that and send you a reminder to your phone that you can tap into and read off," Celia explains ([06:54]).

4. Learning Generative AI to Stay Competitive

Listener Question: "I'm in my mid-40s and want to learn more about generative AI to stay competitive in my career. Are there any free courses you recommend?" – Yvonne

Discussion Highlights: Yvonne expresses her desire to gain proficiency in generative AI to enhance her career prospects.

Celia Quillian’s Advice:

• Start with Free Resources: Celia recommends beginning with free, modularized courses offered by industry leaders like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services. These courses cover generative AI foundations suitable for beginners.

• Hands-On Learning: Emphasizing learning by doing, Celia encourages engaging with AI tools regularly to build familiarity and proficiency.

• Avoid Initial Costs: She advises against paying for courses initially, as ample free resources are available to build a strong foundation.

Notable Quote: "I did not start by paying for anything because there are things that are free out there," Celia affirms ([13:21]).

5. Planning a Road Trip with AI Assistance

Listener Question: "My husband and I are planning a road trip from the Twin Cities to Portland, Oregon. We enjoy walking and sightseeing and need frequent bathroom breaks. Can AI help with finding hotel deals and suggesting routes?" – Mary Lee

Discussion Highlights: Mary Lee looks for AI-driven solutions to plan a comfortable and enjoyable road trip with practical needs in mind.

Celia Quillian’s Suggestions:

• Itinerary Creation: AI can generate detailed itineraries based on preferences, including suggested stops, routes, and accommodation options within specified price ranges.

• Hotel Deal Insights: While AI can provide a general sense of hotel pricing trends, Celia advises verifying deals through booking platforms for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

• Prompt Optimization: Crafting effective prompts by detailing trip preferences ensures AI provides relevant and customized recommendations. "That question right there was a perfect prompt," Celia notes ([14:43]).

Notable Quote: "That question right there was a perfect prompt," Celia comments on Mary’s inquiry ([14:43]).

6. Becoming Proficient with AI Tools

Discussion Highlights: Jean inquires about Celia's journey to mastering AI and offers tips for regular users to become proficient.

Celia Quillian’s Experience and Tips:

• Early Adoption: Celia became adept at using AI tools like ChatGPT shortly after their release, dedicating significant time to explore their capabilities.

• Consistent Engagement: She encourages users to interact with AI tools regularly, even starting with simple questions to build familiarity.

• Curiosity-Driven Learning: Approaching AI with curiosity and a willingness to explore different functionalities leads to greater proficiency over time.

Notable Quote: "I started using ChatGPT pretty much the week or two after it came out and then became just utterly obsessed," Celia shares about her AI journey ([09:05]).

7. Accessing Continued AI Education and Resources

Closing Remarks: Jean and Celia wrap up the episode by directing listeners to additional resources for ongoing AI education.

Celia Quillian’s Platforms:

• Social Media Presence: Followers can connect with Celia on TikTok, Instagram (@smartworkai), YouTube, and LinkedIn for the latest AI insights.

• Book Availability: Her book, AI for Life, is available on platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target.

Notable Quote: "I'm Celia Quillian and if you're interested in AI for Life, it's available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target," Celia provides contact points ([15:55]).

Conclusion

This episode of HerMoney with Jean Chatzky underscores the transformative potential of AI in personal and professional spheres. From enhancing job search strategies and managing home tasks to planning trips and advancing career skills, AI emerges as a versatile tool for empowering women to achieve financial confidence and independence. Celia Quillian's expert guidance offers listeners practical steps to integrate AI into their daily lives effectively.

For those interested in further exploring AI applications, follow Celia on her social media platforms and consider reading her book, AI for Life, to stay informed in this rapidly evolving field.