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Decide what to do with a bonus or windfall without wasting it

Extra money landed and it could vanish. Get a simple split: debts, buffer, goals and a little enjoyment.

Updated 17 Oct 2026

The prompt · ChatGPT

Help me decide what to do with a bonus or windfall.

Amount: [after any known tax, or "not sure about tax"]
Debts: [list or none]
Emergency fund status: [none / partial / ok]
Goals: [list]
What I'd regret not doing: [optional]

Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers.

Then:
1. A simple split across buffer, debts, goals and enjoyment, with reasons.
2. A 48-hour rule before any big want purchase.
3. Tax or benefit angles to check on GOV.UK or MoneyHelper if relevant (not a ruling).
4. A one-line plan I can stick on the fridge.

Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, figures or products. This is help organising my own numbers and wording, not financial advice; point me to MoneyHelper, GOV.UK or Citizens Advice for guidance, and to a free regulated debt adviser if I'm struggling to pay. UK English.

Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.

A short example

Fill the blanks, then paste. after any known tax, or "not sure about tax": a short note you already have. list or none: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.

This does not give tax advice. The books stay in the accounting system.

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