Happy Monday, Money readers!

Your favorite AI chatbot may be good for more than planning vacations and settling group-chat arguments. It might actually help you plan for retirement.

A new study suggests chatbot users are more likely to save for the future than non-users, although that doesn't mean you should blindly trust every robotic money tip. Let’s get to it. — Kat Peach

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe to get Daily Money delivered to your inbox for free.

Can't Afford a Financial Planner? AI Might Be Better Than Nothing

Turns out, in some cases, asking artificial intelligence about your retirement might actually be... responsible? According to a new study, people who use AI for retirement guidance are 75% more likely to save for retirement than those who don't seek advice at all.

But before you make ChatGPT your new financial planner, there's a catch: People who worked with an actual human financial advisor were 181% more likely to save, while those who combined human expertise with AI saw the biggest boost of all — a whopping 254% increase.

Researchers say that's because AI and human advisors do different jobs. AI is great at quickly explaining concepts, running simple scenarios and putting intimidating financial jargon into plain English.

Human advisors, meanwhile, excel at asking the questions you didn't think to ask and tailoring advice to your specific situation.

The biggest warning? Don't treat AI like your therapist or accountant. Experts say you should never type sensitive information such as your Social Security number, account logins or exact financial balances into a chatbot. Stick to rounded numbers and general scenarios instead.

AI can be a useful second opinion — or a first step if you can't afford professional advice — but it shouldn't get the final vote on your retirement plan. Think of it as a calculator with confidence, not a professional with a fiduciary duty. — KP

Protecting your loved ones doesn’t have to be expensive

Many people put off life insurance because they assume it costs too much. But term life policies can be more affordable than expected — with premiums starting around $26 a month on average. Getting a quote is simple. After answering a few basic questions, you can see your estimated rate in just minutes. Explore Money’s top-rated life insurance providers and compare your options.

ADVERTISEMENT

POP-UP TREND

Gen Z’s Newest Must-Have: Pricey Popcorn Buckets

As if movie-theater popcorn wasn’t expensive enough, brace yourself for serious sticker shock if you want your buttery snack in a collectible container. Moviegoers are clamoring to pay $50 or more for specialty buckets themed to blockbuster releases.

Reporting on this phenomenon, The New York Times wrote that fanciful popcorn buckets have (ahem) popped up to become a big moneymaker for theaters. Multiplex chain AMC Theatres is on track to earn a whopping $100 million in revenue this year from collectible buckets alone. To commemorate director Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey, the production commissioned popcorn buckets shaped like an IMAX video camera and the iconic Trojan horse.

The Times wrote that collectible buckets have become “astonishingly lucrative” for movie theaters, albeit for “somewhat inexplicable reasons.” Movie industry pros told the newspaper that one driving force behind the trend is Gen Z’s affinity for the whimsically-shaped containers, which are rendered as everything from handbags to castles to aliens. (Some even light up.)

As you might imagine, the term “bucket” is used fairly loosely for some of these designs. The Odyssey’s horse, for instance, has a compartment in its belly that swings open to hold its buttery bounty. But if you’re watching either your budget or your diet, be warned that this tchotchke could be a Trojan horse for both: It retails for $70 and holds a whopping 50 ounces of popcorn. — Martha C. White

In the newsroom, our editors are talking about...

PTO PROTECTION

3 Simple Ways to Protect Your Summer Vacation From Scammers

Travelers are often distracted, moving through unfamiliar places with sensitive documents like passports, hotel confirmations and travel insurance paperwork. Don't fall prey to fraudsters.

Money; illustration AI-generated with Claude

This issue of Daily Money was written by associate editor Kat Peach and reporter Martha C. White. It was edited by managing editor Julia Glum. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please email [email protected] with any feedback.