Capture the minimum useful record
Petty cash fails when it asks for too much detail. Capture enough to explain the spending later, while keeping daily entry quick.
- Date, amount and category such as groceries, transport or supplies
- Short note for what was bought or why cash was used
- Receipt note or acknowledgement when available
- Clear monthly review status so both sides stay aligned
Use categories to spot household patterns
The goal is not just to store transactions. Categories help the employer see whether spending is normal, seasonal or caused by missing supplies.
- Compare grocery spending against the shared grocery list
- Spot recurring purchases that should become planned supplies
- Keep reimbursements separate from salary-payment records
Example petty cash categories
Good categories make month-end review faster. Use categories that match how the household actually spends, not accounting terms no one uses daily.
- Groceries: wet market, supermarket, pantry staples and fresh food
- Transport: bus, MRT, taxi or delivery-related travel
- Household supplies: detergent, tissue, cleaning tools and toiletries
- Miscellaneous: one-off purchases that need a short explanation
Month-end review process
Review petty cash while the month is still familiar. The aim is agreement, not detective work after everyone has forgotten the details.
- Filter entries by month and review unusual amounts first
- Ask for clarification while the purchase is still recent
- Convert repeated urgent purchases into planned grocery items
- Top up cash only after the current balance and pending entries are clear
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between petty cash and salary records?
Petty cash records household spending handled by the helper. Salary records document monthly pay. Keeping them separate avoids mixing reimbursements with wages.
Do I need a receipt for every entry?
Not always. A short note is still useful when a receipt is unavailable, but higher-value or repeated purchases should have clearer proof or acknowledgement.
Is SG Helper built specifically for Singapore households?
Yes. SG Helper is designed around Singapore domestic-helper workflows, including MOM deadline reminders, work-permit tracking, salary records, petty cash, grocery lists, and multilingual helper access.
Does my helper need to install an app?
No. SG Helper works as a web PWA on mobile and desktop, so employers and helpers can use it from a browser and add it to the home screen when useful.