What Are Assets? Types and Examples

What Are Assets?

Assets are things with monetary value that you own, such as property or funds in your savings account.

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Edited by other Updated Feb 18, 2026

What is an asset?

An asset is something you own that has monetary value, like a savings account or stock. Taking inventory of your assets and knowing their worth is important. You may want to leverage some assets to achieve certain financial goals, or cover emergency expenses when they arise. Assets can be personal or business-related, but we’ll focus on the personal use.

Types of assets

Assets fall into several categories, and some examples fit more than one description. Some assets depreciate (lose value), while others appreciate (gain value). Asset types include: Cash and cash equivalents: The money that’s in your pockets or stored in a savings account, checking account, certificate of deposit or other account. Cash and cash equivalents: Tangible assets: These are physical objects, or the assets you can touch. Examples include your business property, car, boat, art and jewelry. Tangible assets: Intangible assets: The nonphysical assets like stocks, bonds, pensions and royalties Intangible assets: Liquid assets: Liquid assets are cash or the things that can be sold and converted to cash quickly, like readily tradable stocks and bonds. Selling these assets generally does not affect their price. Liquid assets: Illiquid or fixed assets: Sometimes referred to as “fixed assets,” illiquid assets usually take longer to convert into cash, and their value may change in the process. Real estate, furniture and antiques are all considered illiquid or fixed assets. Illiquid or fixed assets: Fixed-income assets: Investment money that is lent for interest, including government bonds, certificates of deposit and securities. Fixed-income assets: Equity assets: Your ownership interests in a company, like stocks, mutual funds and retirement accounts. Equity assets: » RELATED: How to navigate equity compensation » RELATED:

Assets vs. liabilities

Assets are the things you own that grow your wealth. Liabilities are the debts you owe. Here are some examples of assets and liabilities: Assets Liabilities Cash (including checking and savings account balances) Retirement accounts Stocks, bonds and mutual funds Real estate Automobiles Jewelry, art and other valuable personal property Credit card balances Student loans Personal loans Mortgages Auto loans Business loans

Why assets matter

Your assets come into play when determining your net worth, or personal price tag. Ideally, your net worth should increase over time. Assets can also provide a safety net for financial emergencies and strengthen your borrowing power. Here are some specific scenarios where you need to know your asset value: Net worth: Your net worth helps shape your financial health. You can calculate your net worth by subtracting your liabilities (what you owe, or your debts) from your assets (what you own). Net worth: Insurance: You’ll need to know how much certain assets, like houses and jewelry, are worth to get them properly insured. Insurance gives you coverage in case of an event like a fire, storm or robbery, or potential liability, say if you’re sued after a car accident. Another asset people tend to overlook is their ability to earn an income. Consider protecting your livelihood with disability insurance. Insurance: Loan applications: Liquid assets are often part of what lenders look at when you apply for a mortgage, car loan or home equity loan. You may get lower rates or better terms if you have money to fall back on to quickly make loan payments if you lose your job. Loan applications: Collateral: Some lenders require you to put your house or car up as collateral to receive a loan. If you do not repay the loan, these items may be seized to help cover the cost. Collateral: Divorce: Your money and possessions may be divided up with your ex-spouse during a divorce. Divorce: Bankruptcy: There’s a possibility that you’ll have to give up some assets, like jewelry or a car, if you file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy: Retirement: Having a stockpile of liquid assets is crucial when you’re retired. It’s best to have money readily available to cover living expenses when you no longer receive a paycheck. Retirement: » RELATED: Liquid net worth: What it is, How to Calculate » RELATED:

How to determine the value of your assets

The value of tangible assets like cars and antiques isn’t as clear cut as cash and cash equivalents; you can’t simply log in to an account and check the balance. The original price you paid or retail price of an item can serve as a benchmark. To get a current value, get your property appraised by a professional or do your own assessment. You can also work with a financial planner to get a clear picture of both your assets and your liabilities. Explore more on About the author Schwahn Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies. She contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press and managed a team of writers producing content for the series. Her work has also been featured by USA Today, MSN, The Washington Post and more. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is based in San Francisco. Published in What is an asset? Types of assets Assets vs. liabilities Why assets matter How to determine the value of your assets High Net Worth: What It Means to Be a HNWI How to Set Financial Goals: A Step-By-Step Guide What Are My Financial Liabilities? How to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home Net Worth Calculator: What Is My Net Worth? By Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®, Pamela de la Fuente How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling Average and Median Net Worth by Age: How Do You Compare? By Lauren Schwahn High Net Worth: What It Means to Be a HNWI By Lauren Schwahn, Pamela de la Fuente How to Make Passive Income: 16 Strategies to Try By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys