What are assets? Understand the assets definition in our financial glossary

Modak
February 20, 2025

Main takeaways

💰 Assets, like cash and property, are key to your financial health and net worth.

🔄 Liquid assets are easy to convert to cash, while non-liquid assets take longer to sell.

📈 Understanding your assets helps you make smarter financial decisions and plan for the future.

Have you ever wondered what assets are and why they matter in personal finance? Assets are a crucial part of understanding your financial health, and knowing about them can help you make better money decisions. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of assets, provide examples, and explain how to calculate important ratios related to assets. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of assets and be ready to manage your finances more effectively.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Modak is not a financial advisor and does not provide personalized recommendations. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Modak is not responsible for any outcomes based on the information provided.

What best defines an asset?

An asset is anything that holds value and can be owned or controlled to produce a positive economic benefit. Assets are essential components of your financial life because they contribute to your net worth and can help you achieve your financial goals.

Example of assets:

There are many types of assets, and they can be categorized into various groups. Here are some common examples:

  • Cash and cash equivalents: Money in your bank account, savings account, or cash on hand.
  • Investments: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement accounts.
  • Real estate: Property, land, and buildings you own.
  • Personal property: Cars, jewelry, and other valuable items.
  • Intellectual property: Patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
A house, an example of a personal asset

Assets synonym in the business context:

  • Resources
  • Holdings
  • Capital
  • Wealth
  • Investments
  • Property
  • Funds
  • Equity
  • Inventory

What is the legal definition of assets?

Legally, assets are defined as resources owned by an individual or entity that have economic value5. These resources can be used to produce goods, services, or income. In legal terms, assets can be tangible or intangible, and they are often listed on balance sheets to determine the financial health of an individual or business.

Types of assets

Liquid vs. Non-liquid assets

Liquid assets

Liquid assets are assets that can be quickly converted into cash without losing value. These include cash, checking accounts, and savings accounts. Liquid assets are important because they provide immediate funds for emergencies or opportunities.

Non-liquid assets

Non-liquid assets, on the other hand, cannot be easily converted into cash without a significant loss in value. Examples include real estate, long-term investments, and personal property. These assets are usually held for longer periods and are not readily accessible for immediate needs.

Personal assets examples

Personal assets are items of value owned by an individual. Here are some examples:

  • Cash and Bank Accounts: Money saved in various accounts.
  • Investments: Stocks, bonds, and retirement funds.
  • Real Estate: Your home or rental properties.
  • Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, or boats.
  • Valuables: Jewelry, collectibles, and antiques.

Long-term assets examples

Long-term assets are assets that are expected to provide economic benefits for more than one year. These include:

  • Real Estate: Property and land held for investment purposes.
  • Equipment: Machinery and tools used in a business.
  • Intangible Assets: Patents, trademarks, and goodwill.

How Modak helps you manage your money

💡 Modak helps kids and teens manage their money by setting savings goals and earning rewards.

📱 With Modak, teens can learn financial literacy through fun features like chore management and MBX points.

🚀 Modak’s app makes managing finances easy, engaging, and educational for families.

Start your financial journey now!

Everything you need, fast, safe and simple.

Debt to assets ratio

The debt-to-assets ratio is a financial metric that indicates the percentage of an individual’s or company’s assets that are financed by debt. It is an important measure of financial health and stability.

How to calculate debt to assets ratio?

To calculate the debt-to-assets ratio, use the following formula:

For example, if you have $50,000 in debt and $200,000 in assets, your debt-to-assets ratio would be:

This means that 25% of your assets are financed by debt.

What is the difference between assets and liquid assets?

The primary difference between assets and liquid assets is their convertibility to cash. All liquid assets are assets, but not all assets are liquid. Liquid assets can be quickly and easily converted into cash without losing value, while non-liquid assets may take longer to sell and could lose value in the process.

Answering common questions about assets

What best defines an asset?

An asset is defined as any resource with economic value that an individual or entity owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide future benefits. This includes tangible items like cash and property, as well as intangible items like investments and intellectual property.

What is the legal definition of assets?

Legally, assets are resources owned by an individual or business that have economic value and can be used to meet debts, commitments, or legacies. They are recorded on balance sheets and are considered in legal and financial assessments.5

What is considered in assets?

Assets include anything of value that is owned and can provide economic benefits. This encompasses cash, investments, property, personal belongings, and intellectual property. Essentially, if it holds value and can contribute to financial stability or growth, it is considered an asset.

Why does understanding assets matters?

Understanding assets is crucial for making informed financial decisions. By knowing what assets you have and their value, you can better plan for the future, manage your debts, and achieve your financial goals.

Impact on personal finance

Assets play a significant role in determining your net worth and financial health. By managing your assets wisely, you can increase your wealth and financial security.

Impact on investments

Knowing the difference between various types of assets helps you make better investment choices. For example, investing in liquid assets can provide quick access to cash, while long-term assets can offer greater growth potential over time.

How teens can benefit from understanding assets with Modak?

At Modak, we believe in teaching financial literacy from a young age. By understanding assets, teens can make better decisions about their money and investments. Modak’s app offers tools to help manage chores, set savings goals, and earn rewards through our MBX system.

Earn MBX with Modak

Kids can earn MBX points by completing various challenges and activities within the Modak app, including the “Walk to Earn” feature2. By reaching daily walking goals, kids can earn up to 70 MBX per week, which translates to an extra $36.40 a year just by walking!3 MBX points can be converted to dollars and used directly with their Modak debit card1, making it a fun and practical way to learn about earning and saving money.

Boy holding Modak Makers VISA debit card for kids

Conclusion

Understanding what assets are and how they impact your financial health is crucial for making informed decisions. By learning about different types of assets, how to calculate important ratios, and the benefits of managing your assets wisely, you can make more informed financial decisions that help improve your financial well-being.

At Modak, we're dedicated to helping families manage their finances more effectively. Our app offers tools to make money, manage chores, and gain financial literacy, all while making the process engaging and educational for kids. Download the Modak app today and start your journey towards better financial understanding and management.

  1. Modak is a financial technology company and not a FDIC-insured bank.Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC. Funds deposited into checking account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance. The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
  2. 100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, click here for more information on MBX
  3. Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
  4. Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.
  5. Cornell Law School. (n.d.). Asset. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/asset

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