For What It's Worth...

The value of Americans is on the rise. No, not our values, but our value -- as in our net worth. It's climbing again after plummeting along with the stock market in the past two years.

The Federal Reserve says net worth grew by $2 trillion to $53.1 trillion in the April-to-June quarter. Net worth, or the value of assets such as homes, checking accounts and investments minus debt, rose nearly 4 percent from the first quarter, reports The Associated Press. The Fed credits stock market gains and an increase in the value of real estate for the increase in net worth.

Still, household net worth is about 19 percent below its $65.3 trillion peak in the third quarter of 2007, before the recession began. 

Earlier this week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession is most likely over, with many indicators revealing a growing economy. But he cautioned that the nation should brace for a long, slow recovery with unemployment likely to increase before the worst is over.

But back to our net worth in 2007: where did all that money go? China?