How much on average do most of you guys spend per week on the road? I am just speaking of your maintenance, not anything to do with the truck or fuel just you? Food, entertainment, etc. Also, whats some of the ways to save money on the road?
Make your own food instead of eating the junk food out there on the road. That will eat up your money so quickly.
Alot of our drivers take their own snacks and some food. Alot of them drink coffee so that's one thing they will stop for is a hot cup of coffee....lol Some use a thermos to put their beverages in as well. Actually it's the little things that you can think of to save money that add up more savings.
I get some bread and sandwich meat,chips etc. that I like to eat or snack on (swich it up a bit) go to wal-marts,bi-lo,sav a lots you can eat for about a week and a few days for bout $60 or less...but ya gonna want a real meal after that week is up!
I used to stock groceries in the truck by stopping at a Wal-Mart which they have a road atlas for 5 bucks or so that tell you where they are if you do not have other options like stocking up the truck before heading out on the road. Most condo type tractors have room for a fridge,microwave,t-v all that stuff. I could run otr on about $100 a week by limiting truck stop purchases to hot coffee and such. Showers came with the fuel purchase, usually 1-2 cents payback on the fuel card to cover some of the cost of an occassional meal in a truckstop. Laundry is good to do at a terminal or home if you get home enough. Most t-v's for the truck will have a dvd player you can watch dvd's,and some cheap rabbit ear antenna will give you local channels in Metro areas without the dish. Watch out and use wisdom and discretion when approached for money by the folks panhandling and such.
I've seen mentioned on here before a plug in lunch box that heats up food. If your wife at home makes dinner during the week, she can put a couple of servings in those meatloaf pans which I believe fit in the plug in lunch box...heat it up all day and you ahve a hot meal at night. Others have said they got a netflix subscription...watch the movies and mail them back while on the road, and when they get home, the have new movies waiting.
netflix has some new video streaming thing thats free with your dvd package. you get a number of hours of movies depending on your subscription selection is kinda limited right now but worth a try if u already have netflix and have a decent connection
Here's a tool that will save any trucker a bunch of money. After I get out of school and running solo I will defiently have this. It allows you to watch your home cable or dish live on a laptop with an aircard anywhere for free. Well the box cost one time from $99.00 for basic $149.95 and it even lets you control your DVR or TIVO remotely. Hey when I'm sitting catching up on hours this will be a must have. NO I don't work for them, just shring what someone showed me. Especially after Sept. 14th. http://us.slingmedia.com/page/home
Wow, so you could TIVO all the races and then just catch up on them at your leisure? I'm going to have to check that out.