How I’m Tracking My Net Worth From Day One

by Henrik Bacilieri

This month, I started something that felt awkward, vulnerable, and kind of pointless at first:
I began tracking my net worth.

Why? Because I read somewhere that “What gets measured gets managed.”
And I want to manage my growth from the very beginning—not just when it looks impressive.

At the moment, my net worth isn’t impressive at all. Honestly, it’s probably negative.

But here’s the truth: that’s where most people start.
And that’s why I’m documenting it—because I don’t just want to show people the highlight reel. I want to track the whole climb.

So how am I doing it?

I made a basic spreadsheet. Nothing fancy—just a few columns and rows in Google Sheets. Every month, I open it up and write two numbers:

1. My Assets

These are things I own that have value:

  • Cash in my checking account

  • A small amount of emergency savings I’m trying to build

  • A few personal items I could sell if needed (laptop, camera)

2. My Liabilities

These are things I owe:

  • Credit card debt (still paying that down from earlier mistakes)

  • Phone payment plan

  • Any other small loans

Then I subtract liabilities from assets. That’s my net worth.
It’s currently in the red. And that’s okay.

Why?

Because I’ve accepted where I am—and now I have a plan to move forward.

Each month, I want to see improvement. Even if it’s $20. Even if it’s just paying off more debt. Progress is progress. And seeing that number slowly shift builds momentum.

It’s also taught me a few powerful lessons:

  • I waste more than I thought – Once you write down where your money is going, it’s hard to lie to yourself.

  • I spend emotionally – I’ve caught myself pulling back from buying things just because I didn’t want to see the “Liabilities” column grow.

  • I’m in control – Even if I don’t have much, I get to choose what direction I’m heading in.

If you’ve never tracked your net worth, I encourage you to start. Don’t wait until you “have something to track.”
Start with where you are.
Document the climb.

One day, you’ll look back at that sheet and say:
“This is where it all started.”

Henrik Bacilieri

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