Plenty of sellers in Ghana are busy all day and still wonder where the money went. They sell a lot, but they never worked out what each item really cost, they mixed business money with family money, or they ran out of stock just when buyers were ready. Being good with business numbers is what turns hard work into real income. It is also a skill employers check for: shop and sales adverts regularly ask for pricing, cash handling, record keeping and stock management.
You do not need to be a maths expert
Business sums use simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. What matters is doing them honestly and regularly. A notebook and a calculator work. A free spreadsheet app such as Google Sheets on your phone or computer makes it easier, because it adds up for you.
The four money habits
This section teaches four habits that protect your business:
- Costing and pricing. Work out every cost of one item, then set a price that covers those costs and leaves a profit.
- Profit and cash flow. Understand the difference between money coming in, profit you actually made, and cash you have available today.
- Simple bookkeeping. Write down every sale and every expense the same day.
- Stock control. Know what you have, what has sold and when to reorder.
Each habit supports the others. Good records show you your real costs. Real costs give you better prices. Stock counts stop you promising goods you do not have.