How does one calculate their net worth?

Calculating net worth involves determining the difference between total assets and total liabilities. This can be expressed mathematically as:

Net Worth = Total Assets - Total Liabilities

Assets include everything a person owns that has value, such as cash, real estate, investment accounts, vehicles, and personal property. Liabilities, on the other hand, encompass all debts and obligations, such as mortgages, student loans, credit card debt, and any other outstanding debts.

By subtracting total liabilities from total assets, one arrives at their net worth, a crucial metric for understanding personal financial health. Positive net worth indicates that a person has more assets than liabilities, while negative net worth suggests higher liabilities compared to assets, which can be a signal to reassess financial situations and make necessary adjustments.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the method for calculating net worth. Adding total assets to total liabilities would yield an incorrect figure that does not represent financial standing, while multiplying income by expenses does not relate to net worth at all. Lastly, assessing monthly cash flow is relevant for evaluating the movement of cash in and out of a household but has no direct bearing on the calculation of net worth.