An individual’s net worth is the difference between his or her total assets and his or her total liabilities. Stated another way, it is everything that you own less everything that you owe. Assets include, but are not limited to, cash, securities, personal property, real estate and retirement accounts. Liabilities include credit card debt, mortgage payments, car loans and other debt obligations you may have. You have a positive net worth if the total of all your assets less the total of all your liabilities results in a number greater than zero. If you owe more than you own, you are said to have a negative net worth. Net worth is a financial number and has nothing to do with your worth as a person. Your net worth constantly changes as you may save more, experience an increase in your investments or pay off debt. It can also decrease when the amount of debt you owe increases.
