In 2025 I Asked 4 AI Tools How to Invest $100 — Here's What Real People (and Robots) Had to Say
$100 Feels Small, But It's a Start
It’s easy to feel like $100 won’t move the needle. In today’s economy, that’s a tank of gas, a trip to Costco, or three takeout meals.
But I wanted to know: if you had $100 and wanted to actually grow it — not just spend it — what could you realistically do?
So I turned to the machines. I gave the same prompt to four major AI models — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Meta AI — and asked them:
'What should I do with $100 if I want to invest it wisely, avoid high risk, and don’t want to touch crypto?'
Then I put their answers side-by-side, tested a few options, and talked to real people trying to do the same. Here’s what I found.
The Prompt
“You have $100. You want to invest it. No crypto, no day trading, and no high-risk hype.
Give me realistic options I can start with today.”
All four AIs responded with unique angles, some more conservative, some more creative.
But they all had one thing in common: they gave real, doable ideas — some better than others.
ChatGPT: The Friendly Financial Advisor
ChatGPT broke it down like a beginner’s guide to investing.
Top Suggestions:
- Invest in fractional shares of ETFs (like VTI or SCHD)
- Use robo-advisors (e.g., SoFi, Wealthfront)
- Pay down high-interest debt
- Learn a new skill or tool to increase your earning power
It explained ETFs in simple terms, gave examples of beginner-friendly platforms, and even offered pros and cons.
Claude: The Conservative Strategist
Claude came across like your risk-averse uncle who actually knows what he’s talking about.
Top Suggestions:
- Park it in a high-yield savings account for short-term security
- Use micro-investment apps like Acorns or Public
- Consider bonds or dividend ETFs for safety
- Self-invest in education, certifications, or automation tools
Claude also emphasized the psychological benefit of “getting started” — building momentum with small, repeatable habits.
Gemini: The Spreadsheet Specialist
Google’s Gemini gave the most detailed breakdown, including estimated returns, diversification strategies,
and even links to index fund documentation.
Top Suggestions:
- Build a mini portfolio of ETFs (VTI, SPYG, BND)
- Consider REITs or fintech platforms like Fundrise
- Use Google Sheets to track growth and simulate returns
Helpful, but a bit overwhelming for non-finance types. One user, Anna (a mom of 2 from Ohio), told me:
“I liked the breakdown, but I don’t have time to cross-reference all this. I just want a simple yes-or-no suggestion I can act on.”
Meta AI: Low on Depth, Big on Simplicity
Meta’s LLaMA-based AI offered surprisingly concise advice — but lacked explanation or real-world context.
Top Suggestions:
- Buy a fractional share of an S&P 500 ETF
- Use a no-fee investing app
- Avoid complex instruments
That’s it. No pros and cons, no examples. Felt more like a listicle than guidance.
What I Did With My $100
I combined the best advice from each model:
- $60 into SCHD (ETF with dividend focus)
- $20 into Fundrise starter account (passive real estate income)
- $20 into Poe+ and Canva Pro (tools that help me earn)
And I’ve already earned back more than a few $$ design gigs thanks to Canva’s features.
Key Takeaways: **** AI Is a Tool, Not a Shortcut - Remember that!
- ChatGPT = Best all-around assistant for clear action steps
- Claude = Most grounded in risk and psychology
- Gemini = Overachiever, better for finance nerds
- Meta = Basic but fine for quick reminders
- Grok - still to test as it brings in X's sentiment so I have some hesitation around it and too many mixed opinions and how Ai is leveraging those financial inputs.
None of them gave me the magic answer. But together? They helped me stop scrolling, start acting, and make the most of a small win.
Try This Yourself!? I am curious if you would get the same advise I did from each of these.
Use this exact prompt:
'You are a conservative financial advisor. I have $100 to invest.
No crypto, no get-rich-quick, just smart, realistic ideas.'
Then copy/paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or even your phone’s AI assistant — and compare what you get.
Share with me what you got! Or comment on one of my youtube channel videos about how your advise may be different than what these AI tools gave me!
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