Net Worth: The Number That Tells Your Financial Story

When was the last time you calculated your net worth?

In my mind, it’s an important part of building your wealth, because without knowing your net wealth position it’s a bit like steering a ship without a compass.

You don’t really know where you are along the journey.

Calculating your net worth is like taking a financial snapshot of where you stand right now.

Here’s why it’s so important:

1.  Comprehensive financial overview:

Understanding your net worth provides a complete snapshot of your financial health, factoring in both assets and liabilities.

It helps you see the full picture rather than just focusing on income or individual assets.

2. Tracking progress:

Regularly calculating your net worth allows you to monitor your financial progress over time.

This can be particularly useful when assessing the impact of major financial decisions, such as purchasing property or making significant investments.

It’s not just about watching the number grow; it’s about understanding the dynamics behind that growth or decline.

3. Debt management:

Knowing your net worth can shine a light on your debt levels, making it easier to strategise about paying down loans, mortgages, or credit cards.

By seeing how debt affects your overall net worth, you might be more motivated to reduce it and improve your financial standing.

4. Informed investment decisions:

A clear view of your net worth helps in making informed decisions about investments.

Whether you’re considering entering the property market, buying shares, or starting a business, understanding your net worth can guide you in determining how much risk you can take on and where you should focus your resources.

5. Retirement Planning:

Your net worth is a key indicator of your readiness for retirement.

It helps you assess whether you’re building enough wealth to sustain your desired lifestyle in retirement.

By regularly updating this figure, you can adjust your savings and investment strategies to ensure you’re on track.

6. Financial Goals:

Setting financial goals without knowing your net worth is like navigating without a map.

Understanding your starting point enables you to set realistic, achievable goals and measure your progress toward them.

7. Budgeting and Spending:

When you have a clear picture of your net worth, you’re likely to become more conscious of your spending habits.

It can serve as a wake-up call to cut back on unnecessary expenses or to allocate more funds toward savings and investments.

8. Protection Against Unforeseen Circumstances:

A strong net worth can act as a buffer in case of unexpected life events, such as job loss or medical emergencies.

It provides peace of mind knowing you have the financial resilience to weather tough times.

Calculating your nett worth

Determining your net worth involves calculating the total value of your assets and subtracting your liabilities.

Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. List All Your Assets: Include everything you own that has value. This includes real estate, savings accounts, investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds), retirement accounts (superannuation), personal property (vehicles, jewellery, art), and any other valuable items.
   Don’t forget to include any business interests or intellectual property you own.
2. Calculate Asset Value: Assign a current market value to each asset. For real estate, use recent property appraisals or market comparisons. For investments, check their current value through your brokerage or financial statements. Personal property should be valued at what they could sell for today, not what you originally paid.
3. List All Liabilities: This includes any debts or obligations you owe. Common liabilities are mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit card balances, personal loans, and any other outstanding debts.
4. Subtract Liabilities from Assets: Once you’ve listed all your assets and liabilities, subtract the total liabilities from the total assets. The resulting number is your net worth.
5. Review and Adjust: Net worth isn’t static; it fluctuates as your financial situation changes. Regularly updating your net worth, ideally annually or bi-annually, allows you to track progress and adjust your financial strategies as needed. For example, if your assets total $1 million and your liabilities amount to $400,000, your net worth would be $600,000.

Regularly calculating and understanding your net worth is more than just a financial exercise; it’s a vital part of managing your life’s financial journey.

By staying informed about where you stand, you can make smarter, more strategic decisions that align with your long-term goals.

About Chris Dang Chris Dang is an accountant by training and has worked in the Financial Planning industry for many years. Chris brings together property, accounting, and financial planning experience to help clients of Metropole Wealth Advisory create a holistic plan for their wealth.