Debt tracker guide
How to track money you lent or borrowed
The best debt tracker is a record you can understand months later. Write down the arrangement once, then add every repayment as it happens.
Start with the original arrangement
Create one record for each loan or debt. Include the person or lender, original amount, date, expected repayment date, interest terms (if any), and any notes that explain the arrangement. This keeps an informal agreement from becoming a memory test.
Record repayments, not just the current balance
For each payment, save the date, amount and payment method. If the payment includes interest and principal, record the split when you know it. A running payment history is more useful than a single edited balance because it shows how the number changed.
Review it on a small routine
- Check upcoming due dates once a week or month.
- Compare bank-loan details with the latest lender statement.
- Record a payment soon after it is made or received.
- Keep supporting messages or receipts outside the tracker where appropriate and lawful.
What to look for in a debt tracker app
- Separate records for money lent, money borrowed and bank loans.
- A payment history with dates and amounts.
- Support for due dates, interest terms and partial repayments.
- Records you can review or export when you need them.