Not every repayment comes through a neat automated path. Cash handoffs, direct transfers, and off-platform payments still need to be recorded cleanly.
Capture the essentials immediately
The minimum useful note is amount, date, and method. If a borrower sends partial payment, record the exact amount received instead of rounding mentally.
Attach context for unusual cases
If the payment came through another person or combined multiple obligations, note that clearly. Future you should not have to reconstruct the story from memory.
Re-check the remaining balance
After every manual update, read the remaining balance and ask whether the next reminder cadence still makes sense.
FAQ
Do I need a note for every cash payment?
Yes. Cash is the easiest method to dispute later, so the record should always capture when and how it was received.