1What you own
Cash, savings, retirement accounts, investments, and the value of a home or car if you sold it today.
2What you owe
Credit cards, student loans, a car loan, a mortgage and any money you borrowed.
3Why it can be negative
Many people in their twenties owe more than they own, often from student loans. A negative number is a starting point, not a verdict.
4Watch the direction
Check it every few months. Paying down debt and saving both move it up, even when income stays the same.
How to do it in Oaktally
Working it out once takes ten minutes. Oaktally keeps every balance in one place and shows the trend each month.
- Add every accountChecking, savings, cards, loans, investments and retirement accounts, each with its balance.
- Update balances from statementsUse Update balance once a month. Oaktally keeps the date of each check.
- Watch the trendHome shows your net worth, what you own and what you owe, over a week, a month or a year.
Frequently asked questions
Does my house count in net worth?
Yes. Count what it would sell for, and count the mortgage as a debt. The difference is your home equity.
What is a good net worth?
One that is going up. For context, the Federal Reserve's 2025 survey put the median for all US families at $215,900.
Further reading
Federal Reserve: Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2022 to 2025 ↗Educational examples, not individual financial advice.
