You need to know where you’re starting from. Not the polished version. The real one.
This is the baseline. From here I’ll track net worth regularly so we can see compounding doing its thing, or occasionally watch the market remind us who’s boss.
The Numbers#
Assets#
| Asset | Value |
|---|---|
| Family home (estimated) | $1,000,000 |
| ETF portfolio | $90,000 |
| Super (me) | $110,000 |
| Super (partner) | $120,000 |
| Cash (offset account) | $220,000 |
| Total assets | $1,540,000 |
Liabilities#
| Liability | Balance |
|---|---|
| Home loan | $550,000 |
| Total liabilities | $550,000 |
Net Worth#
| Total assets | $1,540,000 |
| Total liabilities | $550,000 |
| Net worth | $990,000 |
Some Context#
The home is owner-occupied, estimated at $1,000,000 based on recent comparable sales in South East Queensland. It’s part of the honest picture but doesn’t count toward the FI number. You can’t sell your house and live in it at the same time.
The ETF portfolio is held via CMC Markets in VGS and A200. $90,000 is a modest start. The compounding gets more interesting as the number grows.
Super is real wealth but locked away until preservation age (60 for most people our age). It’s on the sheet for completeness but doesn’t factor into the FI number.
Cash is sitting in the offset account, reducing the interest on the mortgage. Not exciting, but useful.
What’s Not Here#
No cars. They depreciate. No furniture, no jewellery, no other assets. If I can’t easily value it and it’s not part of the investment plan, it doesn’t go on the sheet.
Next update: May 2026