Net Worth Statement

A one-page personal balance sheet — the single number that tells you where you actually stand. List everything you own down the left (assets: cash, investments, retirement accounts, the car, the house at market value) and everything you owe down the right (liabilities: the mortgage, car loan, student loans, credit-card balances), one line each as a label and an amount. The two columns foot to subtotals and net against each other into one figure: your net worth, what would be left if you sold everything and paid off everything. A bar beneath shows how much of the picture you own outright versus how much you still owe. It's the distinction at the heart of Rich Dad Poor Dad — an asset puts money in your pocket, a liability takes it out — made concrete in a number you can watch move. Redo the snapshot each month and track the net figure, not any single line. Fill it in to see exactly where you are, or print it blank and total it up by hand.

• Portrait
• 1 page
• Planning

Best for: Seeing your true financial position in one number — and watching net worth grow as assets rise and debts fall.