.​If April 17 marks  the official end of fiscal year 2013, then April 18 is a kind of financial New Year's. As you celebrate the arrival of spring, consider a financial spring cleaning to put yourself on solid ground for a new fiscal year. Six ideas to consider:However, you can apply this anytime of the year when if needed.

1.
Calculate your net worth.

Net worth is a strong barometer of your overall financial progress. Revisit your personal balance sheet to see where you stand, and help refine money goals for the coming year.

First, total the sum of your assets -- cash, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement savings, life insurance policies that have accumulated cash value, and so on. Add to this the value of your personal property, including your house, investment real estate, car and other possessions. (Imagine you've decided to sail around the world and sell everything you own on
eBay.)

Next, determine your liabilities: Credit card debt, student or
auto loans, mortgage -- any money that you owe. Now subtract the latter from the
former: That's your net worth.

This simple spring check-up provides an
early-warning system. For instance, a negative or declining net worth should
make you consider whether you've taken on more debt than you can
handle.​

​

​

Obviously, your net worth should increase by a greater annual percentage in your younger years versus your 40s or 50s. For instance, say your net worth is $1,000 at age 20. You could easily grow it 40 percent in a year ($400) as you save and pay down debt. By contrast, if your net worth is $100,000 at age 40, to grow it 40 percent ($40,000) is a much tougher climb.

One formula suggests you multiply your age by your pre-tax household income and divide by 10. So, if you're 35 years old and earn $80,000 annually, your net
worth should be 35 x 80,000 ÷ 10, or $280,000. But that's just a rule of thumb.
(Consider the 35-year-old heart surgeon or lawyer with a bright ​earning future
but a mountain of student loan debt.)

The Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances found that median net worth rose 1.5 percent to $93,100 from 2011 to 2012. To compare yourself to others in your income or age group, see this Federal Reserve Bulletin.