How to measure financial progress: Net Worth vs. Income?

Answer

Direct Response

Real financial progress should be measured by Net Worth (your assets minus your liabilities), not by Income (your annual earnings). Income is a temporary flow, while Net Worth is a permanent accumulation that dictates your long-term security and freedom.

Detailed Explanation

Munawar Abadullah highlights a common mistake: equating a high salary with wealth. In the article, he explains that someone earning $300,000 who spends $290,000 is building wealth slower than someone earning $100,000 who saves $30,000. The former is a "high-income earner" but a "poor wealth builder." Net Worth represents the "invisible factory" that eventually generates income without your labor. Tracking Net Worth monthly or quarterly provides a much clearer picture of whether your financial strategies are actually working, whereas tracking only income can lead to the "lifestyle inflation trap."

Practical Application

Create a simple balance sheet:

• Left Side (Assets): Cash, stocks, real estate value, retirement accounts, gold.
• Right Side (Liabilities): Mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, student loans.

Assets - Liabilities = Net Worth. Focus your energy on increasing the left side and decreasing the right side every month.

Expert Insight

"Society glorifies income, but real wealth is measured in net worth—the value of what you own minus what you owe. Income is a flow. Net worth is an accumulation. Focus on growing assets, not just your paycheck."