5 Practical AI Shortcuts to Save You 2 Hours Every Day

  5 Practical AI Shortcuts That Save Me 2+ Hours Every Single Day

Hey there! I'm the guy behind AI Tools for Starters – a non-native English speaker from Hungary who's obsessed with making AI work for beginners like me. I started this blog because I was tired of complicated tech overwhelming my life. Instead, I wanted tools that quietly handle the boring stuff so I can focus on creating content, learning, and enjoying my days.

These aren't just random tips I found online. These are the exact AI shortcuts I use every single day to run this blog, manage my inbox, plan meals, and even learn new skills. Together, they easily save me over 2 hours daily – time I now spend with family or testing new AI tools for you guys.

If you're new here, check out my post on [The Best Free AI Image Generators in 2026](Image Generators in 2026:) for the creative side of AI. Now, let's dive into the productivity hacks!

 1. Summarizing Long Emails, Articles, and Newsletters

Mornings used to be a nightmare: 20+ emails and newsletters piling up, each one a wall of text. I'd spend 45-60 minutes just reading them. Now? It takes me 10-15 minutes tops.

My go-to tool: ChatGPT or Google Gemini (free and built into Gmail).

How I do it step-by-step:

- Copy the entire email/article text.

- Paste into ChatGPT/Gemini with this prompt:  

  Summarize this in 5 bullet points: the main ideas, key takeaways, any action items for me, and potential risks or opportunities. Keep it concise but don't miss important details.

Example: Last week, I pasted a long AI news newsletter about 2026 trends. In seconds, it gave me bullets on new tools like Perplexity updates and Claude's improvements – perfect for my blog research.

Time saved: At least 30-45 minutes daily.  

Pro tip: For even faster results, use Gemini in Gmail – it auto-summarizes threads with one click.

 2. Creating Weekly Meal Plans (My Biggest Game-Changer)

As someone who works from home and runs a blog, deciding "what's for dinner" was draining mental energy. No more endless scrolling recipes or forgetting ingredients at the store.

Tool: ChatGPT or Claude (Claude is great for detailed plans).

My exact process:

List what I have in the fridge/pantry (e.g., "chicken, rice, broccoli, eggs, tomatoes").

- Add preferences: "healthy, low-carb, Hungarian-inspired if possible, for 7 days, 3 meals per day."

- Prompt: Create a realistic 7-day meal plan based on these ingredients: [list them]. Include simple recipes (under 30 minutes), a full shopping list for missing items, calorie estimates, and variety so I don't get bored.

Last month, it planned a whole week around paprika chicken (nod to my Hungarian roots) and veggie stir-fries. Bonus: It even suggested leftovers repurposing!

Time saved: 45 minutes per week on planning + no impulse grocery buys.  

Personal favorite: Ask for a printable table format – copy it into Google Docs for easy shopping.

 3. Drafting Tricky Emails and Replies

Writing polite refusals, feedback, or professional inquiries? I used to stare at a blank screen for 20 minutes. Now, AI drafts it in seconds, and I just tweak with my voice.

Tools: ChatGPT, Gemini, or Grammarly's AI (great for tone adjustment).

Step-by-step:

- Copy the original email/context.

- Prompt: Draft a professional, friendly reply to this email. My tone is direct but polite, keep it under 150 words, end with a question to continue the conversation. I'm a blogger focusing on AI tools.

Example: A sponsor inquiry came in – AI drafted a kind "thanks but no" with alternatives. I added one personal line, and sent!

Time saved: 20-30 minutes per difficult email (I handle 5-10 weekly for the blog).  

Tip for 2026: Try Perplexity for replies – it pulls real-time info if needed (e.g., current tool pricing).

 4. Learning New Skills Super Fast

Building this blog taught me SEO, web design, and content strategy from scratch. Without AI, it'd take months. Now, complex topics click in minutes.

Tool: Any LLM, but Claude or Perplexity for deeper explanations.

My method:

- For unknowns: Prompt Explain [topic] like I'm 10 years old, then give a real-world example for bloggers, and finally advanced tips.

I learned Blogger SEO this way: Started with "keywords," got kid-simple explanation, then tips like "use labels for categories."

Time saved: Hours per new skill – turned weeks of reading into one afternoon session.  

Bonus: Ask for quizzes: Give me 5 questions to test if I understood.[AI in the Kitchen: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Cooking in 2026]

 5. Instant, Natural Translations and Language Help

English isn't my first language (szia from Hungary!), so writing blog posts used to involve constant dictionary checks. Plus, I follow global AI news in multiple languages.

Tools: Google Translate is okay, but DeepL or ChatGPT for natural results; Gemini for context.

How I use it:

- Paste foreign text: Translate this to natural English, explain any idioms, and summarize key points.

- For my writing: Paste draft into ChatGPT: Improve this English text for a blog: make it sound native, fix grammar, and suggest better phrases.

This post you're reading? AI helped polish it while keeping my voice.

Time saved: 30+ minutes per post or news digest.  

2026 tip: Tools like Gemini now handle multilingual chats seamlessly.

Wrapping Up: Start Small and Build the Habit

These five shortcuts aren't flashy – they're reliable daily wins that add up to real freedom. I went from feeling overwhelmed by tech to using it as my secret assistant.

Total time saved for me: Easily 2-3 hours/day, which means more blog posts for you and more life for me.

 Which one will you try first? The meal planner (my fave) or email summarizer? Drop a comment below – I read them all and reply!

If you liked this, subscribe or share with a friend who's drowning in tasks. More practical AI tips coming soon. 

If you found these shortcuts helpful, you might also want to learn how to stay safe from AI scams in our Deepfake Detection Guide.[Deepfakes in 2026: How to Spot AI-Generated Deception]