How can a rookie handle a pending economic crisis?

[Erik Nordgaard]

Biggerpockets, 

     What should a rookie do to prepare for and profit from the coming economic crisis? Should we continue trying to acquire properties or look to put our money elsewhere? Maybe a rookie should stick to low or no money down deals? 

Peter Schiff makes it seem like real estate is a bad investment to get into right now because of the situation the dollar seems to be in. Although infinite factors are taking effect, it seems like overall the major themes are too much consumer debt, a dollar that's on the verge of collapse, and housing prices are in a bubble. 

How can an investor fortify themselves against what seems to be coming? I've got one 4-plex that I househack, and I am stuck between spending more money to make the house more valuable, buying another property or finding other things to do with my cash that are not real estate. Thanks in advance.