Proven Strategies to Build Wealth, Protect Your Portfolio, and Thrive in Any Market The Journey to Wealth (Revised & Updated 2025) is your award-winning roadmap to financial independence—no matter what the market does. Wealth manager James Demmert shares his SMART investing philosophy , developed over 40 years, to help you grow returns while minimizing risk and avoiding catastrophic losses. You’ll discover how to: Spot winning stocks while avoiding overpriced or declining ones - Time your investments to market and business cycles - Protect your portfolio using Active Risk Management tools - Navigate the risks of bonds, ETFs, and even cryptocurrency - Decide when to ride bull markets and when to exit before downturns Demmert explains why mutual funds, index funds, and other managed assets can be risky, with high fees and no way to limit losses like stop-loss orders in stocks. Packed with clear explanations, charts, and actionable steps, The Journey to Wealth gives you the confidence and strategy to achieve your financial goals—without relying on “buy-and-hold” myths or Wall Street hype. "The Journey to Wealth” strikes a winning combination: authoritative information written by a polished professional presented in a highly digestible, extremely attractive, high-quality package. – Foreword Reviews Winner: Business - Motivational / Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist: Business / Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist Business: Personal Finance - Investing / USA Best Book Award Honorable Mention: Business / New York Book Festival [A] methodical and well-organized narrative... Throughout this detailed and instructive book, Demmert crystallizes his advice into 18 principles, clearly set off in boxes for easy reference.... the narrative is generally remarkably compelling... perfect for those seeking a more in-depth understanding of global financial forces and practical investment choices and strategies. --Kirkus Review [A] methodical and well-organized narrative... Throughout this detailed and instructive book, Demmert crystallizes his advice into 18 principles, clearly set off in boxes for easy reference.... the narrative is generally remarkably compelling... perfect for those seeking a more in-depth understanding of global financial forces and practical investment choices and strategies. --Kirkus Review From preferred stocks and the value and limitations of bonds to diversification processes, there is no better book on the market suitable not just for explaining investment processes, but for understanding the psychology of creating and sticking to a flexible strategy that works not by formula, but by concrete knowledge and market analytics. Sound complex? Not under James E. Demmert's hand: he makes The Journey to Wealth accessible to a wide audience, from savvy investors to novices alike, and gives it a straightforward, jargon-free treatment that makes it an informative pleasure to read. -- Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review --Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review James E. Demmert has been managing investment portfolios for institutional and individual investors for over 35 years. He has experience in all aspects of investment management including equity and fixed income research, trading and portfolio management. He has particular expertise in macroeconomic research and risk management and is responsible for his firm’s Active Risk Management processes. He is a seasoned wealth manager and is experienced in the areas of retirement, financial, estate and tax planning. James graduated from Harvard University. His past experience includes positions with LF Rothschild and Lehman Brothers. In 1993, he launched Main Street Research (MSR), a registered investment advisor. The firm now manages over $1.5 billion across more than 500 relationships, employing the investment and risk management strategies presented in this book. James was selected as one of America’s Top Advisors by Barron’s Magazine in both 2020 and 2021. James has been a sought-after speaker on the subject of investment topics for a number of public organizations, including the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII). He has authored numerous articles on finance and investment management and his work has appeared in many financial publications including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, BusinessWeek and Fortune. He is also a member of Forbes Finance Council, The CFA Institute, and the Financial Planning Association. In addition to The Journey to Wealth, James is the author of The Sustainable Endowment: 10 Principles to Make Your Foundation or Nonprofit Last for Decades.