The Richter Report


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Thank you very much for visiting my website. I'm Jim Richter, a husband, father, and an American. I was blessed to have been born, raised, and educated in the United States of America, a country which was once the envy of the world. I'm 59 years old. People my age and older can recall a time when the phrase "sound as a dollar" referred to the strength and honesty of America's money. Unfortunately, much of the world's admiration for us is gone. More importantly, our sound dollar is LONG GONE. Compared to gold, it has lost more than 75% of its value since 2000.

My world changed in 2000. The stock markets crashed. My portfolio took a beating. So did my daughter's college fund. Like most Americans, I had been so busy working and coping with daily life that I was basically "flying blind" as far as my investments were concerned. I made a vow that this would never again be the case. I began an intellectual journey which has resulted in this website. I realized that most Americans aren't stupid when it comes to money and investing. They're just tired when they get home from work, so they don't have the time or energy to learn how the economy really works. Americans hear the script readers on television saying that the economy is recovering. There's just one problem. The economy is not recovering, and millions of people are struggling for financial survival!

My journey has led me to the most brilliant thinkers who have contemplated economics and the human condition. Frederic Bastiat, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and many more. Most Americans have never heard of them. I want you to know about them, and I'll be writing about them in this newsletter. They are some of the greatest champions of freedom the world has ever known. Nothing that is happening these days would surprise any of these geniuses, yet it surprises the financial media. Every day brings a headline about a bank failing or writing off billions. Every day, our financial system is more at risk of a systemic crisis because of the policies of our banking system. In the face of all this, how does an ordinary person like you or me protect his or her hard-earned money? I know that I don't have all the answers, but I think that I have a few. That's the whole reason for this website and this newsletter. Jim Richter

Current Events

The Winter Of Our Discontent?

Negative Real Interest Rates

A Different Kind Of Diversification

Looking Back And Looking Forward

Reflections On The Macro Trends

1) Get completely out of debt. If this is not possible, let your mortgage be your only debt. DEBT IS SERVITUDE! Imagine what you could do if you did not owe anything to anyone!

2) Save US dollars until you have at least 3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses. Though I am "bearish" on the dollar, our government requires us to pay everything with dollars, including taxes. You need to have enough US dollars to pay your bills.

3) After you have gotten out of debt and saved an emergency fund, consider putting your money into some other types of investments. During every time period, there is always one asset class that will outperform most others. Some call it the primary trend. Invest in the primary trend. In the 1970s, the primary trend was in commodities. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was in stocks and bonds. The primary trend does not stay the same forever. It changes. Learn to identify the primary trend. Make the trend your friend. If you invest in the primary trend, it will do the work for you. Get on the bull and don't let it shake you off!