“And then some idiot suggests it… and you can’t wait to try a wedge salad?” — Claire Dunphy, Modern Family
If you’ve ever suggested an idea to a partner, colleague, or friend, only for it to be ignored, then embraced enthusiastically when someone else suggests the exact same thing, you’ve had a “wedge salad moment.” It’s exactly what happened between Claire and Phil Dunphy on an episode of Modern Family.
It’s funny on TV, but in real life, it can be a bit frustrating. Especially when it comes to money.
As financial planners, we see wedge salad moments all the time.
You may have a vague sense that you should start budgeting more intentionally. Or perhaps your spouse has been nudging you to review your pension, update your will, or finally sell that underperforming property. But it doesn’t feel urgent, or exciting, until someone else says the same thing with a slightly different spin.
And suddenly it clicks.
Maybe it’s the way they pitched it, but perhaps you were simply not ready to hear it the first time.
We get it. Human behaviour isn’t rational; it’s relational. We’re not just making decisions based on logic and numbers; we’re absorbing emotions, expectations, timing, and even tone of voice.
In behavioural finance, this is known as cognitive filtering: we interpret advice based on who delivers it, how it lands emotionally, and the story we tell ourselves about it.
So, what does this have to do with your financial planning?
- Timing is everything
You might not be ready to act until the context feels right. That doesn’t make you lazy or disorganised, it just makes you human. But when the moment comes and the idea lands, give yourself credit for acting. Don’t get stuck on “I should have done this sooner.” Start now.
- Familiar advice is still good advice
Just because you’ve heard it before doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Financial wisdom—like spending less than you earn, reviewing your plan regularly, or protecting your downside—is often boring by design. But boring is what builds wealth.
- Repetition is part of learning
Often, we need to hear things multiple times, in different ways, from different people, before we can internalise them. Think of it not as a failure to act earlier, but as part of the process of aligning your head, heart, and habits.
So, what’s your wedge salad?
Maybe it’s the investment review you’ve been putting off. Or the estate plan that’s sitting in a drawer, half-finished. Or the conversation you keep avoiding with your partner about your long-term goals.
Wherever you are in your financial journey, we’re here when the timing feels right—and also when it doesn’t. We’re not here to say, “We told you so.” We’re here to say, “Let’s build something from here.”
At WellsFaber, we advise; you thrive.