Finding Ways To Save Money

So what’s the solution? Well, there really isn’t a solution. It’s just a part of driving a truck. But there are things you can do to help soften the blow. When you’re hired on with a company, they should have you on what is known as “per diem” pay. This is basically a system that gives you a certain percentage of your pay, tax free. This pay is so you don’t have to keep all of your food receipts and deduct them at the end of the year for your taxes. I’ve spoken with a tax specialist, and he indicated that “per diem” pay is far better than saving all your receipts and deducting them, because everybody truck driver he’s ever come across has saved more money on the per diem pay than if they had deducted from actual purchases. But, if your company doesn’t have per diem pay, be sure to save every single food receipt as all meals on the road are tax deductible. You can also deduct other purchases made while on the road. If you get a hotel for the night, buy a DVD, get a CB Radio, buy work gloves…all tax deductable! Save all your receipts!

Be smart about your meals. Instead of getting the buffet, order off the menu. It’s usually about the same price (and many times cheaper), and the servings are usually large enough to where you’ll have food left over. Take that food to go! Most trucks have a space / hookup area for a small fridge or electric cooler. I have a small Coleman electric cooler that cost about $50. Well worth the convenience of having it on the truck, and it pays for itself after a very short time. You can also get a small microwave in the truck too. Get one for cheap at a Goodwill store. I’ve seen them there for as little as 5 or 10 bucks. Eating left over meals is a great way to save cash. Now, instead of spending $30.00 for two buffet meals for lunch and dinner, you’ve spent $8 for lunch and $7 for dinner.

Picking Up Groceries To Go

Any chance you can get to Walmart, pick up as much as can fit in your truck comfortably. Buy cases of your favorite soda. Buy a few gallons of water. Remember how I said a 1 liter bottle of water costs $1.50 at the truck stop? Well, a gallon of water from Walmart costs about 75 cents. Remember that fridge / cooler I was talking about? Get some sandwich meat, mustard, mayonnaise, etc., and stock up that fridge. While sitting at a customer waiting to be unloaded, sometimes a good ol’ fashioned sandwich is just what you need. I buy little packs of sandwich meat from a company called Buddig. Any Walmart has them. They are individually packaged and cost about $1 a piece. They are supposed to have enough meat for two sandwiches, but I usually use the whole pack on one sandwich. They last much longer since they are in small sealed packages.

Finding Inexpensive Meals To Go

Subway is king. Most Pilot Travel Center truck stops have a Subway inside, and it’s one of my favorite places to stop. I usually get a $5 footlong sub and eat half, then eat the other half later. After taxes, that’s a little over $3 per meal. Not bad! And a little healthier than a restaurant, buffet, or greasy burger and fries.

Saving Money On Other Purchases

Aside from food, which is an obvious necessity, the money spending is really up to you and how you want to live on the road. Casinos almost always have truck parking. Try not to get wrapped up in the gambling. A lot of truck drivers form gambling habits. Do you want a small TV for the truck? Do you want satellite TV? A DVD player? How about a game system to go along with your TV? Want a CB radio? A laptop? Wireless internet for that laptop? A beefed up sound system? Satellite radio? Do you plan on visiting the truck stop arcades often?

I chose to purchase a CB radio, got an old TV from my parents, and already had a game system which works as a DVD player. My laptop has wireless internet, which I often use to watch TV and movies on via www.hulu.com (excellent and free service with minimal commercials). I also have the Coleman electric cooler for the truck, satellite radio, and my biggest entertainment expense is DVD movies (usually buy a $9 pre-viewed DVD every other week or so). Aside from that, I don’t have much. But I still manage to stay pretty happy out here.

Truck driving will challenge your financial spending. This is not a glamorous career, and it’s not for those who need material things to be happy. This career will never make you rich either. But if you love to drive, want the freedom, and have the self discipline to watch your spending, you’ll be able to chuckle at the poor souls trying to get to work at 8am in their business suits, while you’re starting your day heading off into the country in your favorite t-shirt, sneakers, and sweatpants, with 400 miles ahead of you.

Until next time, drive safely!

TruckerMike

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