Club Benefits
I don’t mind paying for AI — I just refuse to waste money on things I don't use or that aren't working for me. As the AI Editor at Tom’s Guide, I test new AI tools constantly. Some of them are really good, some of them are just okay and some I never grow to love.
And for a while, that meant I was paying for a lot of them. So I did what most people avoid: I audited everything and started cutting. Now I pay for just four AI tools every month — and each one has a clear role. If it doesn’t, it’s gone. Here’s what made the cut — and what didn’t.
1. Claude Pro — for deep thinking and long-form work
Claude is the tool I reach for when I need to slow down and actually think. It's the best chatbot when you want real answers without the over-confidence of some AI tools.
Article continues belowIt’s where I go when an idea isn’t fully formed yet — or when I need to push past the obvious and get to something stronger. It’s especially good at long-form editing that feels coherent, not rushed. It's great at structured reasoning that actually holds up, refining messy ideas into something clear and working through complex topics step by step.
When I’m drafting, outlining or pressure-testing an idea, this is still one of the most reliable tools I’ve used.
Why I keep paying: It helps me think better, not just faster — and that’s a difference you notice after just a few prompts. Although I've hit my usage limits, it's worth paying to get solid, thoughtful and structured output.
2. ChatGPT Plus — for everyday execution
I have tried to cancel ChatGPT Plus, but there are so many useful tools within this subscription tier that I need. File uploads, deep research, coding and better models makes it all worth it for me.
If Claude is for thinking, ChatGPT is for doing. This is the tool I use most often because it’s fast, flexible and reliable for turning notes into to-do lists, quick answers, refining outlines and everyday problem-solving.
It’s the closest thing I have to an “all-purpose” AI — but I use it specifically as my execution engine.
Why I keep paying: It helps me move from idea to action faster than anything else.
3. Gemini Ultra — for research and ecosystem integration
Gemini has become my go-to for research-heavy tasks. Gemini 3 is an incredible tool that works especially well when I need long-context analysis, structured breakdowns and help pulling insights from large amounts of information. I also enjoy using tools within Gemini such as Veo 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro.
I really like using the app and, because it connects with Google’s ecosystem, it fits naturally into how I already work.
Why I keep paying: It handles research at scale better than most tools.
4. NotebookLM Plus — for idea storage and 'brain dumps'
This is the one tool I didn’t expect to rely on as much as I do. Now, I'm obsessed. Honestly, if I had to cancel them all and just stick with one AI tool, it would be NotebookLM plus. This tool acts like a second brain and is the place where I store my notes and ideas, half-finished thoughts and ongoing projects.
Unlike a standard notes app, it builds context over time, which makes it incredibly useful for developing ideas instead of starting from scratch.
Why I keep paying: It’s the foundation of my entire workflow — everything starts here.
The 3 AI tools I cancelled (and why)
Cutting tools was the hardest part — but also the most important. AI tools aren't cheap, and paying for each one month after month gets expensive. That said, when I do what to use these tools, I can easily subscribe again for a month or two — users aren't locked int.
The three tools I cancelled offer a lot, but not enough to pay for because I can essentially get the same features with all of the above. The problem isn't finding good AI tools; there are plenty of those. The problem is paying for multiple tools that do almost the same thing. These are the ones I liked but still cancelled:
1. Canva
This tool is great and I subscribed for a long time. I love how easy it is for quick designs and social content, but for my workflow it became redundant.
Between other tools and simpler design needs, I wasn’t using it enough to justify a monthly cost.
Why I cancelled: I liked it, but I didn’t need it. I can use Nano Banana in Gemini and NotebookLM to do the same thing.
2. Perplexity Pro
Perplexity is one of the better AI search tools out there. It is strong, but overlapped with other tools. Once I leaned more into Gemini for research, I found myself using Perplexity less and less.
Perplexity is still useful and I use the free version all the time, but I just didn't have a unique need for the pro version anymore.
Why I cancelled: Too much overlap with tools I already use daily. I get what I want from the free tier of Perplexity, plus NotebookLM Plus and Gemini.
3. Notion AI
Notion is a powerful and incredibly capable AI system, but I don't utilize the Notion workspace enough to make it worth the cost. There are some that swear by it, but for me, it felt like adding another layer instead of simplifying my workflow.
Why I cancelled: Great tool, wrong fit for how I work.
Final thoughts
A month later, I don't miss the tools I've cut from my budget. Now, every tool I pay for has one clear, specific job. If it overlaps, I cut it. If I don’t use it weekly, I cut it. If it slows me down, it’s gone.
I've finally turned a cluttered stack into a system that actually works. From thinking and research to execution — I have tools I actually use, which makes my workflow faster and my budget easier to manage.
If you’re paying for multiple subscriptions right now, ask yourself one question: Does each tool have a role, or are they just overlapping? Let me know in the comments what tools you pay for and which ones you're thinking about cutting.
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