What are assets?

• A. Everything owned that has monetary value.
• B. What is owed to others.
• C. Money spent on living expenses.
• D. Lack of resources.

Answer: (A)

Assets are things of value you own that can provide future economic benefits. They include cash and bank balances, investments, real estate, cars, equipment, and even intangible items like patents or brand value. Because you own them and they have monetary value, they’re resources you control that can be used to generate income or converted to cash. This is why “everything owned that has monetary value” best describes assets. The other ideas describe what you owe (liabilities), money spent on living (expenses), or a lack of resources (deficit), none of which capture the idea of owned items of value. Understanding assets helps you measure net worth, which is assets minus liabilities.