Finances On The Road

Im curious about a few things about being on the road and dealing with your finances. 1- do you generally use personal checks? I'm on my last book of checks and don't know if I should order more. The only time I use q check is for rent and car payment. I'm pretty sure my car payment can be made online, and I just made my last rent payment so that won't be an issue. My other bills can be done online. Are there random things that come up in which you need checks? I'm sure as an o/o or lease driver it may be useful in situations but I assume even that could all be done with a credit or debit card over checks.

2- alomg the same lines, do you need stamps on the road? I can't think of a situation aside from mailing a letter or post card where stamps would be needed. Do truck stops sell them?

3- how do you get cash on the road? I plan on having my checks direct deposited. I assume truck stops have atm's, but are the fees high? That seems like something they could skyrocket prices on to make a buck off drivers. I'm sure banks aren't always near a truck stop either. I'm under the impression that you will have to pay for things on the road like scaling loads and you have to use cash because they won't take card or check. How do you keep cash on hand? The only way I can think of is going to walmart or similar places where you can get cash back. But there are still limits on what you can get back.

Any info you guys can give me will help. I'm hoping to take my permit tests next week and if all goes well I hope to be down at prime getting started in 3 or 4 weeks. Maybe a little longer if needed.

I use a debit card and have my pay direct deposited. It's very simple that way. Pay bills online and you'll probably never need a stamp - I don't think you can get them at truck stops. Almost all truck stops have ATM machines. You'll find some are more expensive than others. Most are around $3.95 or less.

Hallo,

for my living costs etc, I use my debit card or my Sams Card (Wal-Mart/Sam's Club). Most of my utility costs are deducted automatically from my account. I just need to make sure that I have enough money on my account. My spouse takes care of the bills that need to be paid manually.

Kai

I don't think too many places are going to take out-of-state checks so I would make sure you have a debit card and possibly a backup. Over the years I've had my bank card stop working because the bank's system was down or the bank shut off my card because they saw something they thought might be a suspicious purchase and wanted to confirm it - things like that. So it doesn't hurt to have an emergency credit card or secondary bank account to make sure you have more than one card available.

You can also get money from your company. Companies will put cash on the company card if you request it, which will then work like a regular ATM card.

I'm not sure about truck stops selling stamps. I'm sure some do. But it's good to carry a book of stamps with you.

But before you go on the road, make sure all of your bills are setup to be taken out of your account electronically. You'll have plenty to worry about as it is without trying to remember what bills you have to pay at what times.

QUESTION WAS: "how do you get cash on the road? I plan on having my checks direct deposited. I assume truck stops have atm's, but are the fees high?"

OPTION: I know this is really old but... I use Key Bank and they reimburse me for other bank's ATM fees so this is an option as well. I'm sure Key isn't the only bank that does this =)

In this day and age we dont really use cash much anymore... but...if i need cash, i can cash a comcheck at a truckstop where i fuel. theres no fees if you fuel. the check is against my next pay as an advance. many places like walmart allow you to take more out on your debut card than the sale, giving you cash.

if im short on money, my bank app will allow me to deposit that check into my account directly. But then i would get it woth ATM and fees.

Since we are talking money, ill self promote here lol

Budgeting Tips for CDL School & Training

Hello, For recurring bills, such as car payments, car insurance, etc., I used my debit card or had it set up on auto pay through my checking account. You might want to see if your bank has a "bill pay" program where they will pay the bill with an electronic or paper check. Just make sure that you have it set up to issue the payment 10-14 days before the due date to give the bank time to "cut" the check and mail it or send it through their processing system and have it arrive to the bill before the due date. otherwise the Visa/Mastercard branded debit card would work for most bills. As far as getting cash on the road, look for a bank/credit union that is national (think BoA, TD bank, Wells Fargo) or a bank that reimburses other banks ATM fees, and withdraw what you think you will need for the week.

Hope this helps. Chris

I have used a couple atms and lowest fee was $2.50 highest was $3.95. Some truck stops will offer cash back on comdata card when fueling (the Petro I fueled at today offered this) I haven't used the cash back feature yet so I dont know if they charge but probably not with fueling. I keep $300-$400 on my comdata just to have it as another option and try to keep at least a hundred or so cash at all times for tolls, scales, parking when needed etc. Also advise keeping a roll of quarters or two with you for vending and laundry. I 100% agree with Brett, this day and age it's hard to find anyone that would take out of state checks.

I have used a couple atms and lowest fee was $2.50 highest was $3.95. Some truck stops will offer cash back on comdata card when fueling (the Petro I fueled at today offered this) I haven't used the cash back feature yet so I dont know if they charge but probably not with fueling. I keep $300-$400 on my comdata just to have it as another option and try to keep at least a hundred or so cash at all times for tolls, scales, parking when needed etc. Also advise keeping a roll of quarters or two with you for vending and laundry. I 100% agree with Brett, this day and age it's hard to find anyone that would take out of state checks.

Possible stupid question alert:

Do you get reimbursed for tolls if you have to pay them yourself (for whatever reason)? Thanks!

PEOPLE!!!! Don't use ATMs that charge a fee. Carry some cash. Don't waste your money on ATM fees. It's just a matter of pre planning. If you use ATMs, keep track of the fees and add them up at the end of the year. Then ask yourself what you could have done with that money. Convince yourself that ATMs are ONLY for emergencies. And yes, keep a supply of checks, they aren't obsolete yet. And remember this: When you combine these two words, THE and IRS it spells THEIRS. (You are welcome in advance for the free financial advice).