1. Review Your Liabilities
Take a detailed look at your liabilities. This should be an easy number to figure out as it’s simply how much debt you owe each month and in what form, such as your mortgage, credit card debt, and loan payment.
Are there liabilities that you can eliminate or reduce? Reducing your debt is a big step in helping your net worth number increase!
2. Review Your Assets
You may not know exactly how much all of your assets are worth, or how that value is going to change, but you can get a round-about figure. Try not to leave any assets out. Remember, here are your main asset classes:
Primary residence: the more equity you have in your home, the greater your net worth.
Vacation home and rental property: usually paid for with cash, so this is definitely an asset you’ll want to count!
Investments: stocks, bonds, mutual funds and tax-deferred retirement plans. Just remember to add the taxes on these assets to your liabilities.
Collectibles: art and antiques—the market for these items will fluctuate, but you can always have an appraiser come help you.
3. Trim Expenses
The less money you spend, the more you’re accumulating in net worth. Look at your current expenses and see if there are places that you can cut back. Remember, even a few dollars here and there can add up to a lot of money throughout the course of a year and longer!
4. Reduce Debt
Reducing debt is the best way to increase your future wealth.
First, you'll want to identify your high interest debt. Next, consider consolidating payments or simply increasing monthly payments, both of which are proven methods to reducing debt.
5. Pay Off Your Mortgage
Consider paying off your mortgage and get the biggest lump sum off your books. Owning your home will become your biggest asset.
6. Review Annual Costs
What annual costs are bringing your net worth number down—and which ones don’t you need? Take a look at things like your insurance and healthcare premiums each year. Compare interest rates and see if any of these annual costs can be trimmed down.
7. Income Investing
Income investing is a great way to increase your net worth—if done right.
