Turn MoMo references into for easier cashflow reading with 25-character notes

10/7/2025 • min read • By Isaac

Many small businesses in Ghana use MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash, AirtelTigo Money, and bank apps every day. Money comes in and goes out, but the records are not always clear. Month-end becomes stressful. A simple habit fixes this: add a short note (reference) to every payment and every receipt.

Most apps give you a small “Reference/Note” space—often around 25 characters. That may feel tight, but with a few short codes you can write enough to remember the purpose later. This habit makes your statement useful, speeds up reviews, and helps you spot waste.

Why this small habit makes a big difference

1. You remember later. A short note stops guesswork at month-end.
2. You keep business separate from personal. Clear tags like PERS or COGS.
3. You catch fees and waste early. Fees, cash-outs, unused bundles show fast.
4. You save time with your accountant. Less back-and-forth.
5. You make better decisions. Clear records guide buying and payout timing.

The format that works with 25 characters

Use Code – What – Period. Examples (≤ 25 chars):

• COGS Fabric OctW3
• Fuel Rider2 W41
• Ads IG OctW2
• Data Office Oct
• Fees MoMo Sept
• Rent Shop Oct
• Wages 2 staff Oct
• Inv Water sachets W41
• Sales POS Sat
• PERS Owner draw Oct

Short code list to start with (8–12 only)

Income: Sales, RefundIn
Stock/Delivery: COGS, Inv, Deliv
Running costs: Rent, ECG, GWCL, Data, Fuel, Maint, Ads, Softw, Wages
Financial: Fees, Tax, Loan
Personal: PERS

Ghana-friendly examples by sector (≤ 25 chars)

Retail

• COGS Fabrics OctW3
• Deliv Courier W41
• Ads IG OctW2
• Fees MoMo Sept

Food service

• COGS Rice+Oil W41
• Gas Refill Oct
• Sales POS Sat
• Data Office Oct

Logistics

• Fuel Rider2 W41
• Maint Bike1 Oct
• Data RiderTeam Oct
• Fees P2M Sept

Clinic/Diagnostics

• COGS Test kits Oct
• Inv Reagents W40
• Sales OPD W40
• ECG Clinic Oct

Online seller

• Sales Jumia OctW2
• Fees Paystack Sept
• Deliv GIG W41
• Data Office Oct

If your app has no categories

Put the code inside the note:

• COGS Flour W41
• OPEX Data Office Oct
• Fees MoMo Sept
• PERS Owner draw Oct

Weekly routine (30 minutes, Monday)

1. Pull last week’s data (export or upload).
2. Fix vague notes (Transfer, Misc).
3. Scan fees and waste (cash-outs, charges, unused bundles).
4. Check cushion (enough cash for a normal week?).
5. Plan payments (rent, wages, stock, any tax due).

Month-end routine (60–90 minutes)

• Totals by code; compare last month.
• Adjust codes; update simple auto-tag rules.

Train your team

• One-page codes + examples.
• One period style (Oct, Nov, W41).
• Make “fill the note” part of payment SOP.
• Clean unclear notes in 5–10 minutes weekly.

Practical tips

• Shorten words: Maint, Softw, Deliv.
• Use plus signs: Rice+Oil.
• Keep names short: Ama Txtls if space is tight.

Common mistakes

• Notes too long → shorten.
• Too many codes → keep 8–12.
• Vague words → avoid Misc, Transfer, Food.

30-day plan

• Week 1: Add a note to every payment.
• Week 2: Clean old notes; add two rules.
• Week 3: Review weekly fees; try batching payouts.
• Week 4: Adjust codes; train staff.

Start today. On your next payment, add a clear 25-character note.