From Games to Greeting Cards: Surprisingly Easy Ways to Use AI Every Day

Many people our age eye technology the way cats eye a vacuum cleaner—with suspicion and a plan to flee. Add “AI” to the mix and suddenly it sounds like something that will either take over the world or at least your email inbox.

And yet…some of my friends have quietly started using it—not to build robots, but to make everyday life easier. The results are surprisingly practical (and occasionally impressive enough to earn you a few points with the grandkids).

Here are a few ways you might actually enjoy using it.

Make your games a little more competitive (or at least less embarrassing)

A friend of mine wanted to improve his golf game. He told AI he had a handicap of 5 (don’t we wish) and described the types of courses he usually plays. He’d been focusing on hitting the ball farther, but AI suggested he concentrate on his short game instead.

It worked. His handicap improved.

That same idea works for just about any game you play—bridge, mahjong, bocce, ping pong, even billiards. You can ask simple, specific questions like:

• I'm a beginner. What are a few strategies I can actually remember?

• What mistakes do casual players usually make?

• What should I focus on if I want to improve quickly?

You won’t suddenly become a pro—but you might stop being quite so predictable. And in some circles, that’s victory enough.

Summarizing long documents

We’ve all stared at a dense document and thought, “I should read this,” followed immediately by, “but maybe I'll clean the toilet instead.”

AI can help by summarizing.

For example, you could upload a long-term care policy and say: “I live in a CCRC in Florida where certain care is already included. Can you explain what this policy actually adds?”

You’ll get a clear, shorter version focused on what matters to you. It won’t replace reading entirely—but it makes the process far less painful.

Composing sensitive emails or greeting cards

We’ve all faced the blank card dilemma. You want to say something meaningful to a friend who’s grieving or going through a serious illness—but the only thing that comes to mind is the typical, "You're in our thoughts and prayers."

AI can help you get started. You describe the situation and your relationship.

For example:“I’m writing to a close friend who just lost her dog of 12 years. That dog went everywhere with her—even on vacations—and in his last year, when he couldn’t see, she pushed him in a stroller.”

You’ll get something far more personal than “thinking of you,” and then you can tweak it so it sounds like you. Think of AI as your thoughtful assistant, not your ghostwriter.

Planning a vacation

If you’ve ever spent hours bouncing between travel sites, this one’s for you. The trick is to be specific. Instead of “plan a trip,” try something like:

“My husband and I are going to Madrid for seven days in October. We’re in our mid-70s, active, enjoy walking, love art, nature, and good food, and like discovering local spots—not just tourist attractions. He speaks some Spanish.”

You’ll get suggestions tailored to you—activities, restaurants, even transportation tips. It’s like having a travel agent who doesn’t mind if you change your mind five times.

Writing documents (without the headache)

A friend recently had to write a policy for vehicle use in our community—golf carts, bicycles, cars, motorized wheelchairs…the whole works.

He gave AI the details: the setting, the age group, the types of paths and roads. It produced a clear, organized draft in minutes. He then adjusted it to fit the community. Total time: about 30 minutes. Estimated time without AI: long enough to require snacks and possibly a nap.

As a supplement to lawyers

Some people have started using AI to get a head start on things like wills or even divorce documents—tasks that can otherwise come with hefty legal fees.

The advantage is that you can describe your exact situation instead of relying on a generic fill-in-the-blank form. AI can then produce a draft tailored to your circumstances.

That said, this is not a “do-it-yourself and call it a day” situation. Think of AI as your first draft assistant. It can save time and help you organize your thoughts—but you’ll still want a qualified attorney to review everything and make sure it complies with state laws and truly reflects your intentions. See the reference for more details.

Photos: creating and fixing

This one feels like magic.

You can describe an image—“a group of stylish 70-year-old women on a guided tour, one holding a little flag like a tour guide”—and AI will create it. If the blouse is the wrong color or the woman looks too old, you can ask AI to fix those details.

It’s also surprisingly good at editing photos:

• Removing glare from glasses or screens

• Enhancing lighting

• Even colorizing black-and-white photos, if you provide a reference

I once gave it a black-and-white picture of my cat along with a color version, and it matched them beautifully. (The cat, of course, was unimpressed.)

A few simple tips

You don’t need to take a class on AI, but a few guidelines help:

• Be specific about what you want

• Give context (who, where, why)

• Say how long or detailed the answer should be

• Ask follow-up questions to refine it

Think of it as a conversation, not a one-and-done request.

Which AI?

There are several options out there—ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and others. Many are already built into the tools you use every day. You can even speak your request instead of typing it.

One last (important) note

AI is helpful—but it’s not perfect. It can make mistakes, misunderstand context, or confidently state something that isn’t quite right.

So:

• Double-check important information

• Adjust the tone so it sounds like you

• Don’t be afraid to say, “That’s good, but can you change this one thing?”

In the end, AI isn’t about replacing what you do—it’s about making some of it easier, faster, and occasionally more fun.

And if it helps you finally win a hand of bridge? Well, that’s just a bonus.

Reference

Using AI to Draft Legal Documents - an AI Summary