Four modules, real-world application
Each module addresses a specific financial skill that directly affects day-to-day business operations at the market.
Opening a Level 2 Bank Account
Mexico's financial regulation establishes a tiered account system. Level 2 accounts occupy an accessible middle ground: more functional than a basic account, simpler to open than a full-featured one. For many informal vendors, this is the practical entry point into formal banking.
This module covers what makes Level 2 accounts distinct from other account types. Vendors learn which institutions offer them, what identification documents are needed, and what the process looks like from start to finish. We also explain what the account can and cannot do, so there are no surprises once it's open.
A valid INE credential and a CURP are the primary documents needed. The promoter can help you locate the nearest participating institution or correspondent banking point.
The module also addresses common concerns: Can the account be frozen? What happens if I lose the card? How do I check my balance? These are practical questions, and the answers are explained plainly.
Using a Point-of-Sale Terminal
Card payments are no longer exclusive to established businesses. Compact POS terminals now allow informal vendors to accept debit and credit cards at any stall. This module teaches the practical mechanics of daily operation.
Vendors learn how to turn the terminal on, connect it to a network, process a payment, issue a printed voucher, and handle a cancellation or reversal. They also learn how to read the transaction summary at the end of the day, and when to contact technical support.
An important part of the module addresses the settlement cycle: when does money actually arrive in the account? Understanding the difference between a completed transaction and a settled one prevents cash-flow confusion during the first weeks of use.
- Daily startup and shutdown procedures
- Processing debit, credit, and contactless payments
- Reading end-of-day transaction reports
- Handling common error codes
Simplified Receipts
Mexico's fiscal system includes a simplified CFDI format designed for businesses with lower transaction volumes. Understanding when this document applies and how to issue it is increasingly relevant for vendors who accept digital payments.
This module explains what information a simplified receipt must contain, how it differs from a full CFDI, and in which situations it applies. We also cover how to generate one using accessible tools and how long to retain copies.
The module does not attempt to provide tax advice. It explains the mechanics of the document type and how to use available official tools to issue them correctly. Vendors are encouraged to consult with a tax professional for questions specific to their situation.
A simplified receipt can be issued for sales where the buyer does not require a full CFDI. Understanding this distinction helps vendors serve both types of customers appropriately.
Separating Business and Personal Cash
This module addresses one of the most common and consequential habits in informal commerce: mixing household money with business money. When the same cash flow serves both purposes, it becomes genuinely difficult to assess whether the business is profitable or whether the family is subsidizing it without realizing it.
The module does not require accounting knowledge. It introduces simple, low-cost methods: a dedicated notebook for business income and expenses, a separate envelope or small box for business cash at the end of each market day, a weekly review practice that takes less than fifteen minutes.
Over time, these habits create a clearer picture of the business. They also make it easier to identify when an unexpected expense has eaten into what appeared to be a good week.
Vendors who complete this module often find that the act of writing down daily income, even roughly, changes how they think about the business. The numbers become concrete rather than approximate.