15 Most Important Assets That Will Increase Your Net Worth

Ridofranz / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ridofranz / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Your net worth is more than just the balance in your bank account. It's a measure of your financial health.

Discover: 15 Worst States To Live on Just a Social Security Check
More: The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About

To get the answer to "What is my net worth?" subtract your total liabilities from your total assets. If you're trying to figure out which assets are the most valuable or will otherwise give your net worth a boost, here's a rundown of 15 critical assets.

Learn how you can start making lucrative investments toward your future.

courtneyk / Getty Images
courtneyk / Getty Images

1. Owning Your Primary Residence

Homeownership ranks among the most common ways people gain a substantial increase in net worth. Instead of choosing the traditional 30-year mortgage, opt for a 15- or 20-year term, so you can pay it off more quickly, which will result in a significant asset and savings on interest. And if you decide to sell after you pay your home off, capital gains are tax-free up to $500,000, as long as your status is married filing jointly.

Renting might make more financial sense than owning in some high-priced urban areas, depending on whether the cost of ownership is reasonable in relation to total living expenses.

POLL: Do You Think You Will Be Able To Retire at Age 65?

MJTH / Shutterstock.com
MJTH / Shutterstock.com

2. Second Home

Second homes are a savvy way to earn passive income via short-term rental platforms like HomeAway, VRBO or Airbnb. At first, you can use the extra income to help pay off your mortgage more quickly. Then, once you pay off the mortgage, you'll own a significant asset while still benefitting from the passive income of renting it out if you choose -- both can result in a nice gain in your net worth.

Weekend Images Inc. / Getty Images
Weekend Images Inc. / Getty Images

3. Retirement Savings

Retirement might be decades in the future, but saving now can enhance your net worth.

Saving for retirement is something you can start doing now, and tax-deferred accounts, such as a 401(k) or a traditional IRA, can help your savings balance grow more quickly. Make it a goal to max out your retirement contributions by contributing a set amount each paycheck, especially if there's a company match. By treating your savings contributions as a budget item, you'll consistently put money away, which will allow it to grow and increase your net worth.

Sumala Chidchoi / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sumala Chidchoi / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Education

You might not have thought of it this way, but your education credentials are among your greatest assets. Choosing to invest in your own education to qualify for a better job or gain a promotion can help you reap significant financial gain over time. And your education doesn't have to end when you receive your bachelor's degree. To help pay for the cost of continuing education classes or certifications, you could opt to take out a student loan from a credit union if it has in-school student loan options and parent loan options through Sallie Mae Bank or a lender partner.