Inside This Article:
1. Introduction: Building Wealth
2. Wealth Creation: Learn the Language
3. Budget to Save
4. Save and Invest
5. Take Control of Debt
6. Review
7. Resource Guide
8. Glossary


Wealth Creation.
Learn the Language

You want to create personal wealth, right? So does Bob.

Bob is 35 and works for a manufacturing company. He looked at his finances and realized that at the rate he was going, there wouldn't be enough money to meet his family's financial goals. So he chose to embark on a personal wealth-creation strategy. His first major step was to read this article for guidance. Bob began by learning the language of wealth creation.

The first lesson was to understand the meaning of assets, liabilities and net worth. They make up this very important formula:

A wealth-creating asset is a possession that generally increases in value or provides a return, such as:

  • A savings account.
  • A retirement plan.
  • Stocks and bonds.
  • A house.

Some possessions (like your car, big-screen TV, boat and clothes) are assets, but they aren't wealth-creating assets because they don't earn money or rise in value.

A liability, also called debt, is money you owe, such as:

  • A home mortgage.
  • Credit card balances.
  • A car loan.
  • Hospital and other medical bills.
  • Student loans.

Net worth is the difference between your assets and liabilities. Your net worth is your wealth.

To calculate how much he is worth, Bob used the following formula:

He made a balance sheet listing all his assets and all his liabilities. He listed his wealth-building assets first.

Bob's Balance Sheet

Wealth-building assets
Amount
Cash
$ 1,500
Savings account
1,000
Stocks, bonds and other investments
5,000
401 (k) retirement plan / IRA
25,000
Market value of home
0
Other assets
Market value of car
14,000
Total assets
$ 46,500
 
Liabilities
Amount
Home mortgage
$0
Car loan balance
13,000
Credit card balances
3,000
Student loan
5,000
Child support*
2,400
Miscellaneous liabilities
1,500
Total liabilities
$24,900
 
Net worth
$21,600
 
*Represents one year of payments.

Bob discovered his net worth is $21,600. Using Bob's balance sheet as an example, figure your own net worth.

Click here to create and calculate your own balance sheet!

Be sure to add any assets and liabilities you have that are not listed here. Remember that net worth is your wealth. Are you worth as much as you want to be?

<< Introduction: Building Wealth | Budget to Save >>

 

 

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