count your 'human capital' as an asset; watch your net worth skyrocket you may be a lot wealthier than you think. most people look at their 401(k) or other retirement plan, add in the value of other assets — their home, other investments, savings, etc. — then subtract their debt to get their net worth. after the housing-market bust and the bear-market rout of recent years, that number may look painfully small.