How to Make Smart Investment Decisions in an Uncertain Market (Without Letting FOMO Lead)

Featuring Whitney Elkins-Hutten, author of Money for Tomorrow

If you’re wondering how to invest when the market feels shaky or if you should be investing at all right now, this episode of The Conscious Edge Podcast will help you take a deep breath and get grounded.

I sat down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, a real estate investor, wealth strategist, and author of Money for Tomorrow, to talk about what it really looks like to make aligned, confident investment decisions, even when everyone else is chasing the next hot deal.

We covered everything from emotional risk tolerance to how your capital is structured (aka your “capital stack”) and how to avoid costly decisions driven by scarcity or fear.

💡 What is a capital stack and why should investors understand it?

The “capital stack” refers to the layers of financing in any investment deal, ranging from senior debt (lowest risk, lowest return) to common equity (highest risk, potentially highest return). Most everyday investors don’t think about their position in the capital stack, but Whitney argues that understanding it is essential for risk management and long-term sustainability.

In her words:

“If you’re banking on the cash flow from the common equity class, that’s usually the first to go in a downturn. You’ve got to know where you sit.”

Knowing your position helps you protect your principal, maintain liquidity, and sleep better at night.

🔁 Why pausing your investments might be the smartest move

Whitney shared how, a few years ago, she started noticing market shifts, cash flow was compressing, and interest rates were rising. Instead of jumping into new deals to keep the momentum going, she paused.

That decision didn’t come easy.

“I felt like the kid at the dance with no partner,” she said.

But stepping back gave her the clarity to restructure her strategy, diversifying across asset classes and layers of the capital stack. It ultimately allowed her to preserve capital, generate steady cash flow, and maintain liquidity during a volatile time.

🛑 How to avoid investing from fear or urgency

When you’re unclear on your own financial “safety number”—the amount that makes you feel secure—it’s easy to jump at the next opportunity out of fear of missing out (FOMO). But as Whitney and I discuss in the episode, that urgency often leads to overleveraged, misaligned decisions.

Instead, Whitney encourages investors to:

• Clarify their long-term vision

• Understand their emotional and financial risk tolerance

• Create an investing plan that aligns with who they are—not just what the market is doing

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:

Related Questions Answered in This Episode:

• How do you create financial security before making bold business moves?

• What is the capital stack in real estate investing?

• Should you invest during market uncertainty?

• How do you know if you’re acting from alignment or fear?

📚 Want to go deeper? Join Whitney’s Book Club!

This month, Whitney is leading a special Money for Tomorrow Book Club. Read the book with fellow purpose-driven investors and join exclusive live Q&As with Whitney to apply the concepts to your real-life financial strategy.

👉 Sign up here

🎙️ About Whitney Elkins-Hutten

Whitney Elkins-Hutten is the Founder of AshWealth.com, Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com, and author of the #1 bestselling book Money for Tomorrow: How to Build and Protect Generational Wealth, published by BiggerPockets.

With a portfolio of over $800MM in real estate assets—including 6,500+ residential units, 15 express car washes, and 2,200+ self-storage units—Whitney helps high-earning professionals turn income into lasting wealth through education and strategic investing.

Follow Whitney Online:

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