Short answer
Keep one list of every debt owed to you, with the person's name, the amount, what it's for, and when they said they'd pay. Update it the moment anyone pays, and check it weekly so you can follow up on anything overdue. Money you're owed but not tracking is money you're likely to lose.
Selling on credit, lending to friends, and waiting for clients to pay are all normal. Losing track of it is how money quietly disappears.
Record every debt immediately
When someone owes you, write down:
- Their name
- The amount
- What it's for
- When they promised to pay
Update it when money comes in
Mark it paid the same day. Partial payments count too; record the balance that's left.
Review weekly
A quick weekly look shows who's overdue. Following up early works much better than waiting months. Here's how to follow up on an unpaid invoice.
Don't count it as income yet
Money you're owed isn't income until it arrives. Counting it early makes your business look healthier than it really is.
Track what you owe too
The same habit works in reverse. Knowing what you owe suppliers and others keeps you from being caught short.
Doing this in Gripd
On the Basic and Pro plans, each hustle in Gripd has a Debts section showing money owed to you and money you owe. When you mark a debt as received, Gripd logs the income for you. Invoices you've sent also show as outstanding until they're paid.
Last updated 29 Sept 2026
Related questions
How do I follow up on an unpaid invoice?
Send a friendly reminder a day or two after the due date with the invoice attached, then follow up again after about a week if you haven't heard back, more directly and with a phone call if you can. Keep every message polite and factual, and note each follow-up. Most late payments are forgotten invoices, not refusals.
Read the full answerHow do I write an invoice?
An invoice should include your name or business name, your customer's name, a unique invoice number, the date, a clear list of what you're charging for with prices, the total, the due date, and how to pay you. Send it as soon as the work is done, and keep a copy so you can track whether it's been paid.
Read the full answerHow much should I charge for my services?
Work backwards from what you need to earn: add up your monthly income goal and business costs, divide by the hours you can realistically bill, and that's your minimum hourly rate. Then check what others in your field charge and adjust for your experience and results. Many new freelancers undercharge by forgetting unpaid admin time, tools, and tax.
Read the full answerWhat is the difference between a quote and an invoice?
A quote is an offer sent before the work starts, telling a customer what a job will cost so they can agree to it. An invoice is a request for payment sent after the work is agreed or done. A quote isn't a bill; an invoice is.
Read the full answerTrack it all in one place
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