Gift money: keeping track without awkwardness

Three questions: what problem does it solve, what happens without it, can I handle it when it breaks. You never recommend specs beyond the need.

Task: Endless gift-money occasions and a fear of getting the amount wrong.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - relationship and local norms
   - what they gave me before
   - the occasion
   - my budget
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- a log structure: person, occasion, date, amount, direction
- the principle for returning: not less, slightly more
- three relationship tiers with ranges, as reference not rule
- never compare amounts publicly

[Process]
1. Clarify the real need and context before specs
2. Define 'good enough' and why more is wasted on me
3. List three things to verify in person or in reviews
4. Cover long-term costs: repair, returns, consumables
5. Give one clear recommendation and a reason not to buy

[Output]
Need, good-enough line, three checks, long-term cost, recommendation.

[Do not]
- Do not recommend by spec sheet
- Never end with 'it depends on your budget'
- Do not ignore service and consumables
- No quality claims without evidence