When a deal goes sideways, most investors get stuck staring at the wreckage. In this episode, Christian and Rod pull the camera back and show how the Investment Optimizer is designed to be the foundation—not a single bet. Think of it like a financial solar system: the policy is the sun, investments are the planets, and cash flow keeps the whole thing in orbit.

Prompted by a thoughtful listener note from Wayne, we walk through exactly what to do when an investment underperforms—or even fails—and how to handle policy mechanics without panic. Christian and Rod share their own ATM fund misstep and the practical steps they’re taking: protecting the policy, prioritizing interest, and keeping liquidity.

You’ll hear why the loan is not the deal, how to separate policy strategy from any single investment, and why diversification and dry powder matter more than ever. We also unpack base premium vs. paid-up additions, funding ranges, and when to allocate dollars to PUAs versus loan principal.

If you’ve wondered, “What happens to my policy if the investment flops?”—this is your playbook. It’s not about perfection; it’s about optionality, flexibility, and sequencing so your system keeps compounding.

Key Takeaways

· Treat the Investment Optimizer as your foundational asset, not a one-to-one deal match.

· The loan is not the deal: separate policy mechanics from investment outcomes.

· In a pinch, pay loan interest first to avoid compounding; then prioritize PUAs to keep the “bucket” growing.

· Use funding ranges (base + PUA) to create real flexibility year to year.

· Maintain liquidity (“dry powder”) and diversify across deals to reduce single-point risk.

· A bad deal doesn’t have to hurt the policy—optionality lets you navigate and reset.

Money Insights is a strategic planning firm that is founded on the principle that "off-the-shelf" products and solutions often do not meet the needs of high-income earners. The Money Insights team works to collaboratively design customized financial solutions that will leave a lasting impact on each of their unique clients.Visit Money Insights and take the Investor Quiz at https://moneyinsightsgroup.com!Listen to the Money Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at https://moneyinsightsgroup.com/podcast/