The Net Worth Formula
Net Worth = Total Assets − Total Liabilities
What Counts as an Asset
- Cash and bank account balances
- Investment and retirement account balances
- Home equity (or full home value, with mortgage listed as a liability)
- Vehicle value, and other significant personal property
What Counts as a Liability
- Mortgage balance
- Auto loans, student loans, personal loans
- Credit card balances
- Any other outstanding debt
Why Track Net Worth Over Time
A single net worth snapshot is useful, but tracking it over months and years reveals your actual financial trajectory — whether you're building wealth or accumulating debt — in a way that looking at income or savings alone doesn't capture.