  Non-Hermitian models with real eigenenergies are highly desirable for their
stability. Yet, most of the currently known ones are constrained by symmetries
such as PT-symmetry, which is incompatible with realizing some of the most
exotic non-Hermitian phenomena. In this work, we investigate how the
non-Hermitian skin effect provides an alternative route towards enforcing real
spectra and system stability. We showcase, for different classes of energy
dispersions, various ansatz models that possess large parameter space regions
with real spectra, despite not having any obvious symmetry. These minimal local
models can be quickly implemented in non-reciprocal experimental setups such as
electrical circuits with operational amplifiers.
