Definition
Anything you own that has monetary value: cash, investment and retirement balances, crypto, real estate, and vehicles. Assets minus liabilities equals net worth.
Why it matters
Listing assets honestly is half of knowing your net worth, and it changes behavior: money spent on things that hold value builds the list, money spent on consumption does not.
Example
A household counts $12,000 in cash, $85,000 across retirement and brokerage accounts, a $420,000 home, and a car worth $18,000: total assets of $535,000 before subtracting what they owe.
Put it into practice
Related terms
This definition is educational, not financial, legal, or tax advice. U.S. rules and limits change; verify time-sensitive details with official sources. See our disclaimer.