Net Worth: The Only Number That Really Matters
There comes a time when you realise that tracking income, bills, or even your monthly savings is hard work and doesn’t tell the full story.
Maybe you’ve been working hard for years, but still feel unsure about where you truly are financially.
It can be frustrating when the effort doesn't match your feeling of progress.
But there’s one number that cuts through the noise and gives you clarity: your net worth.
It’s simple, honest, and impossible to fake.
Why Net Worth Matters More Than Income
Most people spend their lives chasing higher income because it feels like the fastest path to financial security.
But income alone doesn’t reveal anything about your financial health.
Two people can earn the same amount and live completely different financial realities.
What separates them isn’t their income but the decisions they make with their income.
Net worth reflects those decisions clearly:
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How much you’ve saved;
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How much debt you have;
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What you own that grows over time; and
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What drains your money and resources quietly.
Income tells a story about today.
Net worth tells the story about tomorrow.
The Simplicity That Surprises People
Your net worth is calculated using one simple formula:
(What you own – What you owe) = Your net worth
No complicated spreadsheets or financial jargon.
And here’s the part most people don’t expect:
Net worth is a helpful baseline.
Once you know your net worth, you have clarity to move forward intentionally.
How Net Worth Guides Your Financial Decisions
When you begin tracking net worth regularly (monthly), you’ll notice that you:
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Spend with more awareness;
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Consciously reduce debt faster;
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Choose long-term value over short-term gains;
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Prioritise investing over consumption; and
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Finally see progress, even with small progress.
Tracking net worth doesn’t magically solve your financial issues.
But it changes the way you behave, and that is the foundation of wealth building.
How to Create an Action Plan
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List what you own.
Savings, investments, cash, property - anything with financial value. -
List what you owe.
Loans, credit cards, mortgages, personal debts - all of it. -
Subtract to find your net worth.
Be honest and let clarity replace fear. -
Track it monthly.
Be consistent - even if you don’t like the number yet. -
Set one net-worth-growing target for this quarter.
Pay down one debt. Increase your savings.
Start investing. Choose one step and commit.
Your Net Worth Is Not Your Worth
Many people avoid measuring their net worth because they’re afraid of what it might say about their own value.
Net worth doesn’t measure character, intelligence, or your potential.
It simply shows where you are right now financially, so that you can decide how to get to the financial destination you want.
Awareness is what can empower you to begin the transformation you may need.
That's all for this week.
See you on Friday!
– Jonathan M.
P.S. Want help understanding or improving your net worth? Reach out to me - I’ll guide you.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is general information only and is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a professional about your circumstances.
