New AI tools come out every week. How do you decide which ones to keep, and how do you stop keeping up from becoming a second job?

A new assistant, agent or app gets hyped almost daily, each with someone insisting you have to try it. Keeping track of them can turn into a part-time job of its own.

We'd like to hear what actually works for you, not what the listicles recommend:

• When did you last drop a tool you were paying for, and what finally made you do it?
• Think of the last new AI tool you tried. Did it make it into your routine, and how did you know?
• What's your rule for letting a new tool in: a short list you revisit, a test on a real task, waiting until someone you trust vouches for it, or simply giving up on keeping up?

Any kind of work counts, not just coding, and a quick rule of thumb is as welcome as a story.

Drafted with AI assistance.