todd murphy agency: Obituaries Don't Discriminate
- 09/27/10 04:25 AM
I have a habit of looking at the obituaries each day in my local newspaper. If I were to take a random poll of subscribers, I would probably find that my daily habit is not unique only to me. When you look at those who have passed on, you would hope that most would have lived long and productive lives. Sadly, and often, you read of young children, young husbands, young wives, young mothers, young fathers, and young grandparents who've passed away unexpectedly, and certainly premature, in the opinions of those they've left behind. I can't help but wonder, being in … (3 comments)
todd murphy agency: Ya think it could be your choices?
- 09/14/10 12:19 AM
We've all made a few bad financial choices along this journey called life. Heck, a tractor trailer couldn't carry all the "not so good" choices I've made over the years. (20 years ago) - "We would like to offer you a position as a claims adjuster here at State Farm. In a couple of years you can get the opportunity to get your own State Farm agency." I chose to turn it down. (18 years ago) - You should buy Wal Mart stock. I chose to buy a new car. (15 years ago) - "I'll sell you my beach house and … (4 comments)
todd murphy agency: Fiddling while Rome burns.
- 06/21/10 11:58 PM
I think that most people, when you get right down to it, know how to improve their lives without having to read a thousand books or attend dozens of seminars. It's not knowledge we lack that causes us to be complacent and unsuccessful in some pursuit. It's the lack of intestinal fortitude. Guts. Balls. Whatever else you want to call it. It's having the will to just move in some direction and be persistent about putting one foot in front of the other. We often act like Nero, fiddling while watching Rome burn. Oblivious to the circumstances around us that prevent … (1 comments)
todd murphy agency: Thank you for your service, Uncle Ed.
- 05/31/10 01:02 AM
Somehow, as fate would have it, my Uncle Ed ended up in pilot school during the WWII era in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he met a knockout blond, Marty Murphy. His silver tongue and Hollywood looks convinced my dad's only sister to marry him. That's how we got our Uncle Ed, the war hero. A member of the infamous Black Sheep squadron during WWII, Uncle Ed could always keep us entertained with his heroic stories of war. He was also the only uncle we had who didn't mind using swear words around us kids. In a sense, looking back, he really was … (2 comments)
todd murphy agency: You can't tweet your way to success.
- 05/29/10 12:29 AM
Wow. Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't it? A friend of mine, Frankie Mann, owner of Office Equipment and Supply, stopped by the office yesterday. He's quite the businessman. He's quite the salesman. He's quite the honest friend. "Todd, you've got to hit the street, at least two to four hours a day, three to four days a week. You can't build your business sitting behind a desk," my friend said. "But I hate making sales calls," I whispered because I didn't want anyone else in my office to hear me. "Leaders lead by example," he paused and then said with a smile, … (59 comments)
todd murphy agency: In your underwear, watching your home burn to the ground.
- 05/21/10 12:20 AM
"Who are you going to call when it's the middle of the night and you're standing in your front yard, in your underwear, watching your home burn to the ground?" And who's going to answer the call and say, "No worries, I'll be right over. You have great insurance coverage, and I'll bring my checkbook to make sure we get some things handled tonight." (I always ask this question of prospective clients.) I just got an email from a friend (with another insurance company) who had a minor kitchen accident that could have turned into a fire disaster, burning down her … (1 comments)
todd murphy agency: It's hard to read the label when you're inside the jar.
- 05/20/10 12:39 AM
I've come to realize that many people don't mind being average. It's comfortable. There isn't much change involved with being average, and the life of an average person is fairly predictable. It's also incredibly boring for many of us who thrive on getting outside of our comfort zones. It's hard to see that the world is changing and longing for people who "dare to be different." Thinking outside the box is needed more than ever to solve so many evolving challenges. Sometimes our comfort zones of average prevent us from seeing who we really are, and the potential we really have … (1 comments)
todd murphy agency: How to Get Out of Debt
- 05/12/10 12:20 AM
Debt sucks. I hate it. It causes stress, sleepless nights, divorce, premature death, and many other conditions that aren't helpful to living a happy life. Somehow we've (Americans) become accustomed to carrying the burden of debt, and have become numb to it's throbbing pain. But, for those who are realizing that it's time to unload the debt, here are a few thoughts. There are only two ways to get out of debt: 1. Make more money and pay it off. 2. Spend less money than you make, and pay it off. (Hint: Find your margin money - I'll talk about this … (10 comments)
todd murphy agency: Letter from the Dad I never knew.
- 05/10/10 08:55 AM
(As told to me.) I lost my dad when I was three years old. I don't remember him. Mom said he was a special man. He must have been, because she never married again. I used to ask her why she never remarried. "Because I've never met anyone who could replace him," she would smile and say. Mom gave me the letter on my wedding day. The envelope was yellowed and tear stained. She cried as I opened it. Dear Mark, If you are reading this letter, it's because I'm not here with you on this special day. I wanted you to know … (0 comments)
todd murphy agency: What to do when you hit a Cadillac Escalade.
- 05/07/10 12:22 AM
The day didn't start very well for Cynthia. She didn't hear the alarm going off, the kids weren't up getting ready for school, and she had thirty minutes to get them all dressed, fed, and loaded into her Explorer. Rushed is an understatement. She swore that the light was yellow when she stepped on the gas to beat the red. It felt like slow motion watching the driver's panicked face as the front of her Explorer crushed his white Cadillac Escalade like a beer can. One witness said that the Escalade rolled twice, but it only looked that way. It only … (66 comments)
todd murphy agency: Buying cheap wine and insurance.
- 05/02/10 11:47 PM
I'm not really sure that there is a difference, you know. Between cheap wine and better wine. According to my wine drinking friends, there is a difference (My brother-in-law can tell you the differences, ad nauseum.) I hear all kinds of reasons why expensive wine is better. Aged better. Doesn't taste bitter. And on an on. I think the point is that there is a reason you shouldn't always buy on price. I just received an email sent to me by a very thorough insurance buyer, to which I responded at 5 a.m. in the morning. He admitted that he really … (0 comments)
I have a habit of looking at the obituaries each day in my local newspaper. If I were to take a random poll of subscribers, I would probably find that my daily habit is not unique only to me.
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