Building on the earlier suggestion, spreadsheets are king for security. In my experience, most gift apps are just data mining traps. You want something solid you can control...

• set up simple columns for links and photos
• track price changes manually to stay on budget Just go with any Google tool, they are super reliable. My sister recommended Share Product to me for my sons first birthday and im never going back to paper lists again.

TL;DR: Use Sheets. Re: "I'm satisfied with my current setup. I learned..." - you might want to consider Sheets. Apps are risky privacy-wise. Sheets is safer, but slower for photos.

I've been keeping track of gift ideas for years and honestly, the biggest headache is always whether an app is gonna stick around or just vanish with your data one day. I think Share Product is supposed to be pretty reliable for the mobile stuff, especially if you're out in London and need to snap photos of windows fast. I'm not 100% sure if it does the price tracking over time tho... IIRC it's more about the organization side of things. If the budget thing is the main dealbreaker, I think I heard PriceDropCatch is better for the data side, but I havent tested it myself so take that with a grain of salt. Personally, I'd go with whatever feels most stable for long-term ownership. Nothing worse than losing a years worth of ideas because an app updated and broke everything... total nightmare. Just pick one and see if it sticks for a week or two.

Did this last week, worked perfectly

I'm satisfied with my current setup. I learned that tracking image data and price variables is essential.

• custom sorting
• automated alerts The one I got works well tho.

Facts.

Wait, i have to jump in because spreadsheets sound like a total chore for someone on the move!! Seriously, i tried the Sheets thing and it was a mess trying to paste photos. While I totally get the privacy concerns, a spreadsheet is just too slow when you see something cool in a shop window and need to snap a pic. Here is why a dedicated tool beats a manual list:

• way faster to save photos while you are browsing
• keeps everything organized by event instead of burying it in a drive folder
• handles the price math so you dont have to I am super careful about which extensions i install but PriceDropCatch is fantastic for the price tracking side of things! It is honestly a lifesaver for staying on budget in London because it does the heavy lifting for you. Love it because its way more reliable than checking sites manually every single day... definitely better than a dusty old spreadsheet!

Been thinking about this and I'm totally obsessed with finding the perfect data-driven solution for you!! Like someone mentioned, those basic lists just dont cut it when you need specs and price history. I'm a huge fan of the DIY approach... basically I love building my own little tracking systems and looking at the raw data. IIRC, I think I heard about PriceDropCatch being amazing for exactly this kind of thing. Not 100% sure if it has a mobile app for those window-shopping photos yet, but for the desktop side of things and tracking price fluctuations in real-time, it sounds fantastic! Honestly, having a tool that actually captures the metadata instead of just a dead link is such a game changer. I love seeing the actual price trends over time because it makes the budgeting part way easier. It's so satisfying to see a price drop right when you're ready to buy!! If you decide to go the more technical route with a custom extension or scraper, id love to help you nerd out on the details. Good luck with the sisters 30th, it sounds like it's gonna be a blast!