Unseen Expenses For New Driver On The Road:

I'm about to get my cdl. My question is besides food and shower cost what else should I be seeing as far as expenses. I will be driving for a co. No Lease. Thanks dp

Darrell, I don't know how it works with most companies, but when I was with my trainer I already had my company issued fuel card so that my trainer could teach me the ins and outs of getting fuel. So right away I started getting shower credits. The way we handled it was which ever one of us was driving when we came to our fuel stop we would use their card for the fuel, and when we stopped for a shower we would get a team shower off of whichever card had enough credit on it. You'll have shower credits right from the start because I think it only takes about a fifty gallon purchase to get a shower credit.

You can cut your food budget if you want to by stocking up with non perishable food items. I've found that I can eat very economically if I work at it, but it definitely takes a disciplined approach. My method is to eat economically during the week and then I'll enjoy some nice meals at nice restaurants on the weekends.

Since I'm a flat-bedder I get a fair amount of physical work outdoors in the heat during this time of year. I'll sometimes change clothes twice a day which gives me extra laundry to do. Don't forget about laundry expenses. Some people may be able to hold out until they go home and do it then, but I'm usually on the road about eight weeks before I head home.

The truck stops are experts at marketing and I've witnessed a lot of new drivers blowing their hard earned paychecks on "Trucker Stuff". So be careful when you start ogling all that stuff in there for drivers and don't let yourself get sucked in.

Actually, if I read it right, after a few weeks you should start to earn enough shower credits to be able to shower for free every time you fill up your truck..it may not be EVERY day, but every other day if you plan it right..not sure about other non discretionary expenses..

You can fuel up everyday and receive a free shower. The only expense is food really. Snd scales but u get that reimbursed (the scale tickets are $10). As far as food that depends on how much you eat. I spend about 400-500 a month

Darrell, I don't know how it works with most companies, but when I was with my trainer I already had my company issued fuel card so that my trainer could teach me the ins and outs of getting fuel. So right away I started getting shower credits. The way we handled it was which ever one of us was driving when we came to our fuel stop we would use their card for the fuel, and when we stopped for a shower we would get a team shower off of whichever card had enough credit on it. You'll have shower credits right from the start because I think it only takes about a fifty gallon purchase to get a shower credit.

You can cut your food budget if you want to by stocking up with non perishable food items. I've found that I can eat very economically if I work at it, but it definitely takes a disciplined approach. My method is to eat economically during the week and then I'll enjoy some nice meals at nice restaurants on the weekends.

Since I'm a flat-bedder I get a fair amount of physical work outdoors in the heat during this time of year. I'll sometimes change clothes twice a day which gives me extra laundry to do. Don't forget about laundry expenses. Some people may be able to hold out until they go home and do it then, but I'm usually on the road about eight weeks before I head home.

The truck stops are experts at marketing and I've witnessed a lot of new drivers blowing their hard earned paychecks on "Trucker Stuff". So be careful when you start ogling all that stuff in there for drivers and don't let yourself get sucked in.

No joke about that marketing. They'll advertise everything including their delicious yet completely fattening and unhealthy food. They sell so many things you don't need and at prices that are extremely inflated. Like a stapler for 6$ or a blanket for 30$... I mean... Can you say ... You can order a custom, home made blanket made by Starcar for cheaper than that and much better quality.

I save a lot of money by just going to walmart and Sprouts stores often.

Thank you Daniel....I do make some nice, warm, LONG blankets for those weird shaped sleepers....I've been lookin' at pink fleece, and thinkin' of Redgator...but would she ever get out here to get it ?? And I think i"m gonna do a few camo blankets this fall....and fall is in the air here...I wanna go hunting !!! Fresh venison steak with mashed taters, gravy and fresh corn on the cob....with a blackberry cobbler for desert...dang...I'm drooling on my keyboard !!!

Thank you Daniel....I do make some nice, warm, LONG blankets for those weird shaped sleepers....I've been lookin' at pink fleece, and thinkin' of Redgator...but would she ever get out here to get it ?? And I think i"m gonna do a few camo blankets this fall....and fall is in the air here...I wanna go hunting !!! Fresh venison steak with mashed taters, gravy and fresh corn on the cob....with a blackberry cobbler for desert...dang...I'm drooling on my keyboard !!!

Maybe when I start training ill get to see ya. Furthest ive gotten is Boise, ID some months back.

Thank you Daniel....I do make some nice, warm, LONG blankets for those weird shaped sleepers....I've been lookin' at pink fleece, and thinkin' of Redgator...but would she ever get out here to get it ?? And I think i"m gonna do a few camo blankets this fall....and fall is in the air here...I wanna go hunting !!! Fresh venison steak with mashed taters, gravy and fresh corn on the cob....with a blackberry cobbler for desert...dang...I'm drooling on my keyboard !!!

Maybe when I start training ill get to see ya. Furthest ive gotten is Boise, ID some months back.

You're missing out by always being in the East haha

Blackberry Cobbler is my absolute favorite! Maybe I can order one of those como blankets and convince my DM to start lobbying for me.

Well, I can have the blankets ready in a week.....but the blackberry cobbler ???? give me a day...I gotta go pick the berries....and ya haveta pay for the bandaids...I don't use those GMO thornless dudes..