re: Net Worth at 30

Zach - anything you owe is a liability. It doesn't matter if its credit card balance, student loans, a mortgage, car loan or $50 to your best friend. All of your assets will fluctuate as to their value - stocks, 401k, house or other properties.

I used to run the loan department of a bank and helped people put together their financial statements - you list all your assets on 1 side and liabilities on the other. Then you subtract "what you owe" from "what you have" to get your net worth. I never include anything such as furnishings, jewelry, cars, beanie baby collection. Usually not worth what you paid for them.