I was just discussing such things over the weekend with a friend, explaining the concept of stock vs. flow. We are both mid-20's, I have plenty of debt from grad school, while she has none due to help from the parents and working during school (I played a sport, made working impossible during undergrad). Anyway, I out-earn her by a decent margin, but she has a positive net worth while mine is negative. She argues I am better off (earnings power), while I say maybe her ("book value"). Just thought it was interesting to discuss.