How do I track my net worth, and how often should I check it?

Track your net worth by adding up everything you own (cash, investments, retirement accounts, home value, vehicles) and subtracting everything you owe (mortgage, student loans, credit cards, car loans). The result is one number that captures your overall financial position better than income alone. Update it quarterly — monthly is fine but can make you over-react to normal market swings. What matters is the trend: a net worth that climbs year over year means you're building wealth, even if individual months dip. Keep a simple spreadsheet or use a tracker so each snapshot is comparable. Watching the line move up is one of the most motivating habits in personal finance. Start at wealthserene.com/tools/net-worth.