How I Track My Net Worth
A simple habit that brings calm, control, and clarity. No bank links needed.
TL;DR
Net worth is the one number that sums up your entire financial picture.
It shows what you own (cash, savings, investments) and what you owe (loans, credit, debt).
Tracking it creates a monthly check-in that builds awareness and peace of mind.
Use this simple routine and forget the rest.
Where it started
My journey with money began with avoidance. I believed I should care about it, but I didn’t really know where to start.
One day, a friend reminded me that a former employer had set up a retirement account for us. I had completely forgotten about it and nearly lost the money. That’s when I realized I needed a clear tracking method.
I first tried budgeting and played with apps that connected to my bank accounts. It felt borderline in terms of privacy, and one missing transaction could ruin months of data.
If that sounds familiar, here’s what worked for me: focusing on the simplest metric possible, the net worth.
Tracking your net worth monthly gives you a clear overview of your finances and helps you make better decisions. Over time, seeing the progress becomes motivating.
Wait, before you leave
I know what you might be thinking:
- It’s only for the rich. Most people start with little or even negative net worth. Tracking is about awareness, not wealth.
- I don’t have money. Starting in the red still counts. Seeing progress each month can feel surprisingly good.
- I don’t have time. I made this routine as quick as possible, so I can spend more time on what I care about instead.
- I only have one or two accounts. Most people have more than they think: a current account, some savings, a work pension, a car, maybe some collectibles.
The routine
Here’s what I do for five minutes each month to track my finances:
- Open each account and note the current balance. Totals only.
- Record one line per account using Worth It or a spreadsheet.
- Review your total net worth and the change since last month.
- Set a reminder for next month and repeat.
Why this approach works
It may seem manual, but those few minutes matter. They force a real check-in and keep you connected to your finances. Typing in numbers builds awareness. That leads to better control and less stress. It also keeps your bank credentials private.
Automated finance apps can create distance. Manual net worth tracking keeps things clear and intentional.
What to include
- Assets: current accounts, savings, investments, pensions, property, vehicles, equity
- Debts: mortgage, loans, credit cards
Valuation rules
Use consistent and realistic numbers. Here’s how I estimate mine:
- Cash: take the total on the update day
- Investments: use the provider’s total value that day
- Pensions: use the latest total. Update quarterly if needed
- Property: use a conservative estimate based on local sales. Update twice a year
- Vehicles: use a guide price. Update twice a year
Template
You can track your net worth anywhere. I built Worth It to make it effortless. If you prefer a spreadsheet, start simple: one line per account with columns for name, type, currency, and balance. That’s it.
Common edge cases
- Multi currency: pick one base currency and convert on update day. Or use an app that handles conversion for you
- Joint accounts: apply your share of ownership to the total
- Cash: track only meaningful amounts
- Irregular income: It still works. Your net worth changes will tell the story
Try it for yourself
This simple monthly habit changed how I see money. It’s not about perfection or tracking every cent. It’s about knowing where you stand and feeling in control.
If you're tired of overcomplicated finance tools or constant syncing, try tracking your net worth manually. It’s private, It’s calm and for sure, It's worth it! (I had to do it)
Try Worth It
Keep assets and debts in one place.
Get one total, a clear monthly change, multi currency support, sync, and export.
Learn more about Worth it
