I think people are really missing their point. You show the change in net worth, but they're saying that they see savings as different and I get what they mean

I think people are really missing their point. You show the change in net worth, but they're saying that they see savings as different and I get what they mean. Person 2 in your example has the same net worth but not the same access to the money. If a sudden bill comes in then being $2k lower in my debt vs $2k in a savings account are functionally very different. That's not to say one is right or wrong, but they are different.