Udhaar kaise yaad rakhein? How to keep track of money lent to friends
Short answer: write down every udhaar the moment it happens, in one line with the person's name, the amount and the direction ("Ali ko 5000 diye" or "Bilal se 8000 liye"). Record each repayment against the same person, including partial ones. Then the balance per person is simple arithmetic, and you never have to ask "kitne dene the?" again.
Why udhaar is so easy to forget
Lending to friends, borrowing from cousins and waiting for repayments is normal for salary earners in Pakistan. The problem is rarely trust. It is memory: three months later, neither person remembers whether it was 4,000 or 5,000, or how much was already paid back. Asking feels awkward, so the amount is quietly lost.
What a good udhaar record needs
| Field | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Person | Ali | Balances are kept per person |
| Direction | lent / borrowed | "Ali owes you" vs "you owe Ali" |
| Amount | Rs 5,000 | The original loan |
| Date | 12 October | Settles "kab diye the?" |
| Repayments | Rs 2,000 back on 20 October | Partial repayments reduce the balance |
Three ways to keep it
| Method | Good | Weak |
|---|---|---|
| Notebook or diary | Free, familiar | Usually stops after a few days; no running balance |
| Phone notes or WhatsApp to yourself | Always with you | Hard to add up; repayments get scattered |
| A money tracker that understands udhaar | Balance per person updates by itself | Needs a minute to start |
How it works in Z30
Zero Before 30 (Z30) is a money tracker for salary earners in Pakistan. You type what happened in English, Roman Urdu or Urdu, and it records it as what it is:
| You write | Z30 records |
|---|---|
Ali ko 5000 udhaar diye | Lent to Ali, Rs 5,000. Ali now owes you Rs 5,000. |
Ali ne 2000 wapas kiye | Ali paid back Rs 2,000, linked to the original loan. He owes you Rs 3,000. |
Bilal se 8000 liye | Borrowed from Bilal, Rs 8,000. You owe Bilal Rs 8,000. |
Amjad 4800 | Z30 asks: did you lend, borrow, or pay him? It does not guess. |
Later you can simply ask "Ali ne kitne dene hain?" and see the answer. Z30 never connects to your bank and never moves money; it only keeps the record.
FAQ
Is there an app to track udhaar with friends, not for a shop?
Most khata apps are built for shopkeepers and their customers. Z30 is built for personal udhaar: friends, family and colleagues, alongside your own salary and expenses.
Can I record a partial repayment?
Yes. Write it like "Ali ne 2000 wapas kiye" and Z30 links it to Ali's earlier loan and shows what is still owed.
Does Z30 work in Roman Urdu?
Yes. English and Roman Urdu work today, and you can mix them. Urdu script is still being tested.
Is it free?
Yes, during the beta, and no payment details are needed to start. Paid plans and a 7-day free trial start at public launch. See pricing.
Try it with your own money: one line at a time.
Start free