liability

4 Ways To Improve Your Net Worth

net worth

Your net worth can be easier to improve than you think.

Do you know your net worth?

Knowing your net worth may not seem like an important detail to know, but being aware of this piece of information helps to keep you on track with your finances and monetary goals.

So, how do you determine your net worth and what is it? Basically, your net worth is the value of your assets (bonds, savings and retirement accounts included) subtracted from your liabilities (or debts). Calculating your liabilities is fairly easy, considering is it the total amount you owe including any loans, mortgages, and the like. Assets, on the other hand, can be a little trickier to establish due to debates many have in the industry about whether or not certain items, like your home or car, are actually considered an asset due to their depreciation over time as well as costs going in for maintenance. Assets should put money in your pocket, not take it out; however, for the sake of argument, let’s say your vehicle counts toward your overall net worth.

So, if your total assets are more in value than your liabilities, you have a positive net worth. If the value of your assets are less, then your net worth is negative. Throughout your life, your net worth will fluctuate. The goal, though, is to create a steady trend up to increase your assets, decrease your debts and, therefore, enhance your net worth.

If this stresses you out and it feels like you will never have less liabilities than assets, fear not. There are many ways you can improve your net worth. Here are a few:

    1. Increase your income. Easier said than done, right? But with the growing digital age, there are many ways you can make money online simply by being on your computer. If getting a higher paying job isn’t an option for you right now, look into blogging or selling items on Ebay or Esty. These are great ways to make some extra money each month, with little costs in overhead. Plus, you can use this side business for write-offs in the home on your taxes.
    2. Pay more money toward your debt. Any chance you have to pay more money toward your debt you should take. If you are only paying the minimum payment each month credit cards, student loans, etc., adjust your budget to try to include higher payments toward this debt. For instance, you may find that over the course of a month you are spending $30 or more on just going out for coffee. Cut back on those coffee shops and use that money toward your liabilities instead. Every penny counts, and your net worth will thank you.
    3. Save a quarter of your income. If you want to increase your net worth at a faster rate, saving more will help you do this. While a common recommended amount to save is 10% of your income, 25% will give your net worth percentage the extra oomph it needs. If this seems like a lot, consider taking 10% of one paycheck and 15% of another and use that total toward either a savings account, a retirement fund or something similar.
    4. Create a passive income. They say time is money, and the less time you have to spend actually making money while simultaneously increasing your bank account, the better for your net worth. There are a few routes you can take to create a passive income. Affiliate marketing is an option (if done ethically and correctly), but you can also invest in stock and bonds. Index funds, Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs), dividend stocks and bonds are examples of opportunities for you to make more money through income-generating assets. If you’ve never invested in stocks, you will want to consult with a professional first.

Finally, a great book on this subject is The Millionaire Next Door. The authors are a couple of marketing professors by the names of Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. Their book is groundbreaking because it takes a realistic look at how America’s rich got that way. What they found was that millionaires were self-employed or owned boring profitable businesses. They also famously found that millionaires made decisions based cumulative future value (for example, saving money over your lifetime by not smoking) and took aggressive advantage of tax-deferred investing strategies. If you are serious about increasing your net worth, buy, read and re-read this book.

You won’t increase your net worth over night, but you can take continuous steps to improve it so that you can reach your financial milestones much faster.

 

Are you really aware of an asset meaning?

Whether you are a numbers person or not, finances become a major part of your life as you continue to propel into adulthood. As you are consistently reminded of the importance of investments, it is also imperative to understand the difference between an asset and a liability, especially if you are making purchases with the intent to create value.

So, what is the definition and meaning of an asset?

According to Dictionary.com, an asset is “a single item of ownership having exchange value.” Google.com also defines it as “property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments, or legacies.”

Of course, other definitions include a balance sheet for liabilities and capital as well as generalized to anything that is useful or valuable.

Robert Kiyosaki, American businessman, investor and self-help author, puts the description of the meaning of an asset a little more simply:

Asset Meaning

His examples include real estate, businesses that don’t require you to work at them, and stocks and bonds as mentioned in his book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”

However, certain items you own can also be considered an asset, even within your own home.

Conversely, these same articles could be liabilities. Liabilities, as defined by Dictionary.com are “moneys owed; debts or pecuniary obligations.” Kiyosaki explains them as any purchase that takes money out of your pocket.

As you dive into the world of researching which of your household items put money in your pocket and which are a straight cost, you’ll need to keep these definitions in mind. A major issue is that many people believe their goods are profitable when, in reality, they are not as valuable as they think or, worse, they are a bit of a disadvantage to the consumer’s pocket.

While this can be an often confusing topic, Suburban Finance is here to help clear things up. Below are common possessions that you may not have realized were assets (or liabilities):

  • Your car. Some will actually deem your vehicle a more of a liability due to the amount of expenses that go into them over time. These include gas, maintenance, insurance and a loan. A car can surely be an asset, though, if the value is greater than the amount due on it. It is also classified in such terms as it can be sold for cash; however, it continuously devalues over time, not excluding the minute you drive it off the lot. While you can add your automobile to your overall net worth, you have to also deduct the liabilities on it when doing so along with determining the depreciating value. (Equally, include all liabilities in your total net worth calculation.) Many dispute on this topic, but you need to be able to establish the worth of the vehicle (trade-in value, what you gain over time, etc.) and the expenses you will accrue.
  • Fine art. Art and other collectibles, such as antiques, can add a considerable amount to your net worth. Of course, this type of purchase does not come without research. The rarer a piece, the more valuable; but the art industry is also very erratic. This is not an easy money-maker, even though its value can be limitless. This can be also be an initial expensive investment on top of an ongoing venture, since purchasing the original will be worth more than a reproduction. If you already have some items that you believe to have value, whether a reproduction or not, you should invest to have them appraised. This will be the best way to ensure you have a strong asset in your hands. Furthermore, you should be aware of the fact that home owner’s insurance may not cover your collectibles without special coverage.
  • Furnishings and appliances. Furniture, appliances and even clothes are considered what is known as non-earning or non-financial assets. These are items you own but do not provide extra revenue. One could say that appliances could also be considered an earning asset due to their efficiency in saving you time, which creates more opportunities for you to make money. If you are purchasing certain goods with the intention of investing, such as antique furniture or collectible items, you will (as mentioned above) want to consider getting them evaluated for value. While most household goods won’t necessarily produce more income, they do still represent part of your net worth. They are also useful for cases of bankruptcy and replacement cost in your insurance policy.
  • Guns. Firearm purchases have been on the rise, particularly with the gun-control laws. These purchases include both collectibles and commercial. Many investors are anticipating tighter regulations in the near future while others are concerned of the return of the federal assault weapons ban, which means any firearms in the banned categories will be illegal to produce. Those in circulation will, though, still be able to purchased and exchange hands with a fixed supply level. These commodities are very valuable to each owner, and they tend to appreciate over time. Guns are an investment that has a price dependent upon supply and demand. While still a strong subject, guns are, indeed, considered an asset due to their steady worth. As with any asset, they would also need to be disclosed if ever filing bankruptcy.
  • Your home. While common thought is that your home would be measured as an asset, Kiyosaki actually considers this to be more a liability due to the time and expenses spent on maintenance, mortgage payments, insurance, the home’s devaluation and the like. It’s likely that you may not sell the home for what it is worth due to still owning on the loan when you move. Renting a room, though, can help to turn this non-earning asset into a financial gain. Also, purchasing homes with the intent to rent to others would also turn home-buying into an asset. This is, of course, depending on who you ask. In the business world, homes are typically considered more of a liability due to costs in time and money. In spite of this, most homeowners will think of their house as a strong resource due to owning the property.

In summary, what is considered an asset and liability is often debated and dependent upon whom you ask. Just remember to keep in mind financial trends and potential value in items before attempting to turn household products into money in your pocket.