Where to get help. In The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me, Richard Paul Evans has included instructions to help you see the big financial picture, including how to gain wealth and how to use it wisely. He has also provided sample worksheets in the appendix of his book to help you track both your cash flow and your net worth. In addition, he has provided online instructions and help at www.thefivelessons,com, complete with online worksheets, or pdf forms that you can print and fill-in by hand. Cash flow. The difference between cash in (income) vs. cash out (expenses) during a given period is called “cash flow.” The reason it is important to track cash flow is that funds generally do not flow in and out at an equal rate. Cash flow is calculated by adding net after-tax income plus any amounts charged off for depreciation, depletion, amortization, and charges to reserves. When expenses exceed income, a negative cash flow results, usually making it necessary to borrow from reserves or from a lending agency, or find ways to defer additional payments to creditors. A cash flow meter, if one existed, could be mounted on the wall like a barometer, to indicate how business is going. In the absence of such a meter, periodic written reports or bar graphs (weekly, monthly, annually) are used. When cash flow is negative “in the red” business adjustments need to be made to reduce expenses or increase income or both. Net worth. The value of all your assets, including cash, property, receivables, less total liabilities owing outside creditors at a given time as shown on your balance sheet. However, it should be observed that the net worth balance sheet rarely show the true value of assets. True net worth is based on assessment of true market values of the assets rather than their book values. Net worth is often called equity capital or ownership equity. It is generally accepted that the chief executive officer (CEO) has a strong influence on the financial performance the organization. It is also generally accepted that management is both art and science, and that some people have a natural ability to manage. It is also believed that ordinary people can learn to be extraordinarily successful with their families, their business, and their community, by following correct principles. Finding and following these correct principles is a life-long quest.