In a pilot with families in Monrovia

One pot. Many hands.

In most families, money comes from several people and is spent by several more. Family Pot is where it all comes together, so everyone sees what there is, what is coming, and what is already set aside.

Register your interest See a month with Family Pot

A month with the Kollies

Five people, one household. Here is how their October comes together.

  1. C1 October · payday

    Comfort sets L$ 12,000 aside for school fees and transport. It stays in the bank, but it no longer counts as free to spend.

    Envelopes
  2. E3 October

    Emmanuel sends US$ 100 for the children's school fees. When it arrives, it goes into the school fees envelope, and he sees it there from Minneapolis.

    Family abroad
  3. J5 October

    Joseph adds his part for the month, as he planned. Everyone sees the pot grow.

    The pot
  4. M12 October

    Musu goes to market with L$ 3,000 and the list. She comes back with the shopping and L$ 250 change, and the rice at home is counted again.

    The market trip
  5. H15 October

    A reminder in the morning: Ma Hawa's susu payment is due today. Her turn to collect comes in December.

    Susu
  6. C22 October

    Rent falls due. It was set aside a little at a time, so nobody has to scramble.

    Bills
  7. 1 November

    October left over L$ 6,200. Food went a little past its budget.

    Everyone sees the same month, in a few words.

The Kollies are an example family, and their figures are examples.

What the Kollies see

The app itself, on Comfort's phone in the middle of October.

Home: Kollie house has L$ 2,050.00 free to spend, how October is heading, and today's To do: rent, a susu payment, and Kebeh back from market.
Start here each dayWhat is free to spend, how the month is going, and what needs you today.
How free to spend is worked out: L$ 30,800 held, less envelopes, budgets left and bills to find, leaves L$ 2,050.
Worked out in the openWhat is held, less what is set aside, budgeted and needed for bills.
The pot: L$ 3,000 in the pot for October of L$ 8,000 planned, each month as one total, and your part.
One potThe household's total for the month, and your own part in it.
Plan: what is coming in and going out in October, and the next 30 days: a susu payment, rent with L$ 8,000 still to find, and a susu payout.
Ready before it falls dueRent, school fees and susu days, with what is still to find.
The shopper's phone: the list with prices entered as the shopping is done, L$ 1,150 spent and L$ 850 change to return.
Sent to marketPrices entered as the shopping is done. The change works itself out.

The same pot, seen from where you stand

Everyone in a family has a different question about money. Family Pot answers each one, from the same records.

You keep the home runningWill we make rent and school fees?

What is really free to spend, bills ready before they fall due, and how the month is going.

You add your partHow is this month going for us?

The household's month at a glance, and your part in it. What you keep for yourself stays private.

You are far from homeWhat is my part helping with at home?

See your part arrive and what it is helping with, from wherever you are, in US and Liberian dollars.

You are sent to marketWhat do I need to buy, and with how much?

Everything for the trip in one place: the list and the cash. It squares itself when you come back.

You save and lendWhen is my susu turn? What has come back?

A reminder for each payment and your payout, and money lent and borrowed kept straight.

What it is made to change

Family Pot informs and never advises. The household decides.

Fewer surprises

Rent and school fees are ready before they fall due, not found the week they are.

Money talk with facts

Everyone looks at the same figures, so a conversation starts from what is so.

Every part has its place

What each person brings goes into one pot, and everyone sees it grow.

Room for each person

Everyone decides what they share. What they keep for themselves stays private.

Family Pot does not hold or move money. Money still travels the way it does today: cash, mobile money, the bank, a transfer from abroad. Family Pot keeps the account, on your family's phones.

Made for how families live here

No connection? Fine.

It works offline and catches up when there is a signal. A typical week is under 1 MB of data.

Any phone in the house

Runs on a phone with 2 GB of memory. A shared phone works: each person has their own PIN.

Two currencies

Liberian and US dollars, with the Central Bank of Liberia's rate each day.

Private, even from us

What you keep for yourself is locked with your PIN. Nobody at Family Pot can read it. Privacy in plain words

Join the pilot

We are starting with a small number of families in Monrovia, so we can help each one well. Leave your details and we will reach you on WhatsApp or by phone when there is a place.

Family abroad are welcome to join their household once it is set up. Questions? Write to info@mayafin.com.