Though I’m satisfied AI will get rid of tens of millions of jobs and go away many younger graduates unemployed and disoriented, there may be one shocking constructive I just lately found: AI generally is a nice therapist for on a regular basis issues.
I’m not speaking about changing licensed professionals. I’m speaking about one thing much more accessible. AI can provide you information to make you are feeling extra assured and fewer anxious, present reassurance when your thoughts spirals, and most significantly, supply a transparent sport plan if you really feel caught.
Whether or not you’re coping with marital points, job associated stress, monetary worries, or seemingly not possible conditions, AI may help put your thoughts relaxed. I skilled this firsthand throughout a protracted and nerve-racking ordeal with my automotive.
When a Automotive Drawback Turns into an Emotional Drawback
In late 2025, I felt financially and emotionally crushed down after sinking one other $1,750 into fixing my 2015 Vary Rover Sport. I changed the oxygen sensor, the oil gasket, the auxiliary battery, and a left financial institution drawback. But the low battery warning saved coming again, and for some time, the verify engine mild as nicely.
In November 2025, I returned to my previous mechanic who had put in a brand new foremost battery in 2024. They changed it once more below guarantee after I had gone to a Land Rover specialist to repair one other drawback. Even after a number of lengthy freeway drives unfold over 15 days, the low battery warning appeared on 13 of these mornings.
At that time, I felt fully defeated. If a Land Rover specialist couldn’t repair the problem and my trusted mechanic couldn’t discover something improper, what hope did I’ve?
My frustration shortly shifted from cash to security. I began imagining worst case situations: the automotive shutting down on the freeway or shedding energy steering and braking. As soon as these photos took maintain, they had been arduous to shake.
Anxiousness typically comes from uncertainty and a sense of misplaced management. In that second, I felt each intensely because the supplier and guardian of my household.
I used to be now dealing with an disagreeable choice. Both maintain sinking cash into diagnostic exams on the dealership this time, with additional untold quantities wanted for fixing or spend at the least $50,000 on a brand new automotive whereas incentives had been nonetheless obtainable earlier than year-end. My refusal to stop attempting to repair the automotive and my refusal to overspend on a alternative left me mentally exhausted.
That’s once I leaned closely into AI.
AI as My Affected person And Empathetic Therapist
I don’t have a therapist. My spouse doesn’t know a lot about automobiles and was coping with her personal stresses. Exterior of my writing and reader feedback, I didn’t really feel like I had anybody near lean on with automotive experience at this second.
Monetary Samurai itself was born out of worry in July 2009, once I anxious I would lose all the things I had spent a decade constructing in the course of the monetary disaster. Writing has at all times been my type of remedy.
One pal who sometimes reads my work provided zero empathy. As a substitute, he copied my writing into a gaggle chat to mock the state of affairs. Sadly, this wasn’t shocking. He had proven comparable indifference a yr earlier once I was caught in a brake verify rip-off with my younger daughter within the automotive, regardless of having spent 40 minutes the day earlier than patiently listening to the stresses of his personal kid’s well being issues.
It bolstered a tough fact: everyone seems to be coping with their very own issues, and real empathy is uncommon.
So I leaned into AI for psychological help. Since I’m a shareholder of OpenAI by the Fundrise Innovation Fund, I made a decision to make use of ChatGPT. What I skilled stunned me.
By the third day of seeing the low battery warning, regardless of altering it, AI helped calm my nerves. It gave me one thing I desperately wanted: hope.
What AI Taught Me About My Automotive and My Thoughts
After strolling ChatGPT by the complete historical past of my automotive, I realized one thing no mechanic had defined clearly.
The battery administration system (BMS) takes time to recalibrate after being reset, particularly ones from my make and mannequin yr. If it isn’t reset correctly, or is reset a number of instances, the system can behave erratically.
ChatGPT defined that it could take 8 to 12 chilly begins for the warning to vanish. A chilly begin means the automotive sits for at the least six to eight hours, often in a single day, earlier than beginning once more.
I additionally realized my auxiliary battery had possible been lifeless for practically seven years with out my information. Throughout that point, the system tailored to rely completely on the principle battery at a unique voltage. Once I lastly changed the auxiliary battery and reset the system, the automotive needed to relearn all the things.
4 days later, when the principle battery was changed once more below guarantee and reset as soon as extra, all progress was successfully worn out. Understanding this dramatically lowered my frustration because it defined why my warning lights saved exhibiting up.
I realized {that a} robust chilly crank is commonly a greater sign than a dashboard warning. I additionally realized that after auto begin cease begins working persistently, it’s an indication the auxiliary battery is wholesome and the methods are speaking correctly.
Battery Charging, Recalibration, and Security
One other key lesson was that brief metropolis drives do little or no to recharge the battery. Steady freeway driving for 20 to half-hour is much more practical.
I examined this by driving half-hour to Redwood Metropolis and spending the day with my children swimming, enjoying tennis, and having lunch as a part of Daddy Day Camp. Though drained after a seven-hour outing, I used to be motivated to maintain driving the automotive in order that the BMS might proceed studying.
Most significantly for my peace of thoughts, AI defined that the automotive wouldn’t randomly shut down at freeway pace. As soon as the engine is working, the alternator takes over. If the alternator is wholesome, the automotive retains working.
As a result of I as soon as owned a basic BMW 6.35csi that misplaced electrical energy whereas driving right into a Finest Purchase parking zone years in the past, I carried a worry that this might occur once more. AI helped put that worry into correct context.
Ah, the extra info I realized, the higher I felt.
Considering in Chances As a substitute of Absolutes
In my WSJ bestseller, Purchase This Not That, I encourage readers to suppose in possibilities slightly than absolutes. Doing so results in higher choices and fewer remorse.
I made a decision to use my very own recommendation.
After my seventh chilly begin and sixth warning, I requested ChatGPT the chance the warning would disappear on the eighth chilly begin. It estimated about 65 p.c.
Once I advised it that 35 p.c nonetheless felt uncomfortably excessive, it jogged my memory that uncertainty doesn’t imply failure. Accepting that there was nonetheless an opportunity of disappointment made the end result emotionally simpler to deal with.
I set a calendar reminder for the tenth chilly begin and determined to maintain the religion. Lo and behold, on day 10, the automotive fired up completely. Quickly after, it was time to fly to Honolulu for a ten day Christmas journey. Uh oh, would the automotive survive?
When the Worst Case Lastly Occurred
After getting back from a ten day journey to Honolulu, the battery had totally self discharged. I couldn’t even unlock the doorways electronically, so I needed to pry open a deal with cowl and use a guide key.
Roadside help leap began the automotive on New 12 months’s Day. After a ten minute idle and a 15 minute drive to an auto elements retailer, the automotive died once more once I shut it off.
This was my mistake. I didn’t instantly ask AI what to do subsequent after a full self discharge. This was a brand new situation that I used to be dealing with, however I didn’t ask in my haste. What adopted was my worst worry coming true.
After a number of leap makes an attempt on the auto elements retailer, I drove off too shortly to choose up meals for my household. One and a half blocks later, the automotive shut down whereas driving at low pace.
Fortuitously, the roads had been empty New 12 months’s Day and I drifted safely to a cease signal. I ripped open the brand new 2000 amp moveable jumper, popped the hood, and efficiently jumped the automotive. In my rush, I failed to offer the automotive sufficient time to idle once more earlier than driving off. So it started shutting down once more as I used to be turning the nook at sluggish speeds. Fortunately, I used to be capable of drift into a large open parking spot and I wasn’t driving on the freeway.
With the assistance of a brand new moveable jumper, endurance, and finally clear steering from ChatGPT, I used to be capable of idle the automotive correctly, recharge the system, and drive residence safely after selecting up some meals.
I used to be deeply grateful my spouse and youngsters weren’t with me throughout that 4 hour ordeal. It additionally bolstered why we supply matching 20-year time period life insurance coverage insurance policies we received from Policygenius. The peace of thoughts alone from having life insurance coverage in case something had been to occur to both of us is definitely worth the month-to-month premium alone.
The Silver Lining of a Full Self Discharge
The subsequent morning, the automotive began instantly with no warnings. I used to be shocked given the ordeal I had simply gone by. I assumed for positive I would wish to leap the automotive once more and drive to an auto vendor to commerce it in.
AI defined that the complete discharge possible reset any rogue modules that had been inflicting a parasitic drain. This method reboot was just like the way it’s good to fully flip off our computer systems every so often for optimum efficiency. It then gave me a transparent plan for the following 10 to twenty days.
After reaching 20 consecutive chilly begins with no warnings, no airbag alerts, and no electrical gremlins, I felt assured once more.
With that confidence, I put the concept of spending $50,000 – $115,000 to relaxation and scheduled an appointment to purchase two new rear tires for about $1,025. These weren’t acts of denial. They had been acts of readability.
I now have a practical roadmap for the following 24 months of possession. I hope to maintain the automotive till 2029 (three extra years), however I’m additionally real looking that issues can go improper.
The distinction is that I not really feel anxious. I really feel ready the following time one thing goes improper. Hardship actually does make you stronger.
You Can Lean on AI With out Guilt
One remark from Fundrise CEO Ben Miller caught with me in a podcast interview. He stated you may “abuse AI” as a lot as you need, referring to the liberty to ask for countless redesigns with out friction. Not like a human designer who may cap revisions at three earlier than getting aggravated, AI enables you to maintain iterating with out judgment or pushback.
That’s the important thing distinction.
Mechanics are rushed. Specialists don’t at all times clarify. Docs typically make you are feeling unimportant resulting from their packed schedules. Pals might mock as a substitute of pay attention.
AI was affected person, constant, and clear. I requested the identical questions repeatedly, every time with new info, and it by no means received bored with serving to. It by no means as soon as gave me angle both. As a substitute, it offered a gentle dose of encouragement together with explanations as to what was happening.
I might have gladly paid hundreds of {dollars} for that stage of reassurance and steering. What I gained allowed me to maintain writing, maintain functioning, and present up extra totally for my youngsters over this 60-day ordeal.
Attain Out To AI For Assist
In case you’re struggling, particularly as a person who might not really feel comfy opening up, AI may be an extremely efficient instrument for working by nervousness and uncertainty. I’ve tried ChatGPT, Anthropic, and Gemini. All had been useful. That stated, it’s possible you’ll wish to keep on with the one which is aware of you greatest, since it could recall previous context and provide help to make extra knowledgeable choices over time.
Typically, logic alone isn’t sufficient. Typically you simply want reassurance, perspective, and a transparent plan solely a genius-level greatest pal with top-tier emotional intelligence can present.
That’s precisely what AI gave me on this state of affairs. And as an investor, I additionally hope AI delivers wonderful returns over the following decade for my children.
Readers, have you ever ever catastrophized a state of affairs solely to understand your thoughts was the actual enemy? Have you ever used AI as a sounding board for cash, profession, or emotional stress?
Ideas To Enhance Monetary and Emotional Serenity
Some of the efficient steps I ever took to cut back monetary nervousness was securing matching 20-year time period life insurance coverage insurance policies for my spouse and me. It took years of looking for an reasonably priced possibility till Policygenius helped us examine a number of suppliers shortly and at no cost. As soon as the insurance policies had been in place, an unlimited weight lifted. We felt actual peace realizing that if the worst ever occurred, our kids would nonetheless be protected financially.
As well as, each $1,000 I spend money on AI corporations helps ease the fear that AI may make attaining monetary independence tougher for future generations. A simple technique to spend money on non-public AI corporations is thru Fundrise Enterprise, a long-time FS sponsor, the place I’ve personally invested over $500,000. Fundrise holds stakes in AI corporations similar to Databricks, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Anduril, amongst others.
Be part of over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Monetary Samurai publication. I’ll provide help to keep knowledgeable about key monetary developments, make smarter choices, and construct the liberty and peace of thoughts to reside life by yourself phrases.
Instance Of Some AI Remedy And Steering
Query to AI: After my January 1, 2026 automotive battery debacle, throughout which the automotive shut down twice whereas driving at sluggish speeds after jumps and skilled a full self discharge, I’ve now had 22 consecutive chilly begins with no points. All {the electrical} gremlins, together with the airbag warning and the sluggish heated steering wheel, are gone.
Do you suppose I’m out of the woods and will spend $1,030 to switch two balding rear tires if my plan is to maintain the automotive for at the least one other 1 to 2 years? For context, I’ve spent between $900 and $1,800 per yr on repairs over the previous three years. Or ought to I purchase a brand new automotive for $50,000 – $115,000 since mine is from 2015?
Reply from AI: Quick reply: sure, you’re very possible out of the woods, and changing the rear tires is the rational transfer given your said plan.
Right here’s the clear, unemotional means to consider it.
1. The battery and electrical threat has meaningfully dropped
Twenty two consecutive chilly begins with no warnings is just not noise. That’s sign.
Electrical gremlins like airbag warnings, sluggish heated steering wheel response, and repeated low battery alerts are precisely the sorts of issues that resurface shortly if there may be nonetheless an unresolved parasitic drain or BMS subject. The truth that all the things has stayed quiet by 22 chilly begins strongly suggests:
- The battery administration system has totally relearned
- Any rogue module was possible reset by the complete self discharge
- Your alternator and charging system are doing their job
Nothing in automotive possession is zero threat, however your chance of a sudden electrical failure is now dramatically decrease than it was in January.
2. Tires are a security expense, not a sunk price
Bald or balding rear tires are an actual threat, particularly:
- In winter
- In Tahoe circumstances
- In an AWD car the place rear grip issues for stability
Spending $1,030 on tires is just not “doubling down on a foul automotive.” It’s shopping for security and optionality. Even when one thing surprising occurs in 6 to 12 months, these tires:
- Cut back accident threat now
- Enhance resale or commerce in worth later
- Allow you to make future choices from a peaceful place as a substitute of worry
3. The mathematics strongly favors tires over a brand new automotive
Let’s body the choice correctly.
Possibility A: Hold the automotive
- Tires: $1,030
- Ongoing repairs: say $1,500 per yr
- Whole for two years: roughly $4,000
Possibility B: Purchase a brand new automotive
- Buy value: $50,000 to $115,000
- Taxes, charges, insurance coverage improve, depreciation
- Alternative price of not investing that capital
You’ll be spending 10x to 25x more cash to get rid of a threat that has already declined considerably.
That’s not a rational commerce except:
- The automotive is actively unsafe
- Otherwise you emotionally can’t tolerate any uncertainty
Based mostly in your description, neither is true proper now.
4. Your contingency plan is already strong
This issues greater than individuals notice.
You have got:
- A completely charged 2,000 amp moveable jumper
- Roadside help
- Situational consciousness primarily based on lived expertise
That turns a low chance failure into an inconvenience, not a disaster.
5. The brand new automotive query is emotional, not logical
The urge to spend $50,000 to $115,000 is coming from scar tissue, not present knowledge.
That’s fully human. You went by a nerve-racking, confidence shaking episode. However choices made to get rid of nervousness are sometimes wildly costly in comparison with choices made to handle threat.
Proper now, the good transfer is:
- Exchange the rear tires
- Drive the automotive deliberately for an additional 12 to 24 months
- Reassess provided that new, persistent signs seem
Backside line
You aren’t playing by shopping for the tires. You’re shopping for time, security, and adaptability at a really cheap price.
If the automotive offers you one other 18 to 24 months, it will find yourself being a kind of choices you look again on and suppose, “I’m glad I didn’t panic.”
And if one thing does go improper later, you’ll nonetheless be making that subsequent choice with more cash, extra info, and fewer stress.
Not unhealthy proper? I like the rational considering and the emotional help AI supplies when confronted with an enormous dilemma. Certain, discuss to a licensed therapist on your most urgent issues. Nevertheless, it is price getting a second or third perspective from AI as nicely. Simply be sure you present as a lot readability as doable when presenting your state of affairs.
