Just passed a year experience. What should my next milestone be?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lonewolfgringo, Feb 13, 2026.

  1. lonewolfgringo

    lonewolfgringo Bobtail Member

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    I recently passed a year experience as a trucker but still consider myself a rookie compaired to you more experienced folks. need some advice on a specific matter.

    The whole point of me getting into the trucking trade is to save up 150k in savings as quickly as possible while studying spanish and then immigrate to argentina to accomplish certain life goals such as getting a house, finishing college education in math engineering and physics, and to settle down with someone and build a family.

    so far i got a CDL permit and DOT cert and used Wilson Logistocs to earn a CDL, then used Wilson and US Xpress to gain enough experience to qualify for Barr Nunn.

    I minimized expenses and everything i own is in my truck and a couple tubs in my sister's storage shed. she lets me use her address as a "legal place of residence" because you cant get a job without one. so my legal address is in Martinsburg, WV. And I live out of my truck to avoid wasting money on rent, which is i i wont do loval trucking jobs.

    I now make .67/mile plus bonuses, and get 1,000-1,300/week after taxes. I did the math and after spending a year breaking into the trade and now have reefer and dry van experience, it will take me 3-4years roughly to reach my goal if i budget my money correctly.

    I feel I got the best job i can get and plan on staying with Barr Nunn until i have my 150k and whats left of my debts are paid off.

    Considering where i'm at financially and employment wise, is this the best i can do? if not what milestone should I be working towards to make even more money per week after taxes? Every 3 months i will be getting a half cent raise so ill be working up to .70/mile with bar nun...and then possibly another 3 cents/mile if i manage to quit smoking and get a hazmat endorsement.

    as far as i know my next milestones are to work my way up to .70/mile, eventually quit smoking and then get bumped up to .73/mile after getting hazmat.

    but beyond that im out of ideas.

    thanks for any advice i can get on this. :)
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2026
    Reason for edit: lots and lots of typos
    nextgentrucker and tscottme Thank this.
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  3. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    If you’re content where you are then I’d stay there given the current market conditions. Work on getting your hazmat and then in another year or so you could get a hazmat job which will bump your pay considerably. Having 1-2 years where you are will serve you well when you want to switch jobs.
     
  4. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    Congratulations on making it through your first year. If you're happy where you are and the money is good, why change? Get your haz-mat endorsement, talk to a financial planner, invest for your future and enjoy the ride. Don't over think this.
     
  5. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    Seems like you have your sweet spot already. Once you have h/m there is the world of chemical tanker if your content with where you are goes away. And then there is Cryo too
     
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  6. Mega Express

    Mega Express Light Load Member

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    I have one year of experience also, I'm making a lot more money than you. I'm in a very similar situation with you too. I looked for jobs like crazy. Everyday for more than an hour. You can definitely make more money. It just depends on what you're willing to do for it. I moved twice and switched companies three times. Plus I hunted. I know for sure you can make more with FedEx running doubles - teams and you can get that job any day of the week any city in the country. Don't settle. There's more money out there, but it ain't easy money. You could do 1300 a week take home at any mega carrier in any City in the entire country. I'm not saying it's easy. But it's definitely possible. Then again, if you're happy, stay out for 4 years and slowly get fat and lazy like 95% of the rest of your peers.
     
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  7. dosgatos

    dosgatos Medium Load Member

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    Just keep grinding it out. I was in the same place as you but without debt. Stayed on the truck and motels or family during time off. My goals were a little different. Saved enough in two and a half years to pay cash for a truck and trailer. I can see you reaching your goal in 4 years depending on your debt. Don't forget to turn your head and look out the window. Lot of interesting things along the way as you continue forward.
     
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  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Is that a Mexican made blanket around your shoulders? Looks like it. I bought a few of those to use as gifts and a few for myself. Good blankets and high quality and cheap.
     
  9. lonewolfgringo

    lonewolfgringo Bobtail Member

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    yeah i lived in Mexico for almost a year to volunteer for an aerospace startup. something that a starship engineer i met who works for SpaceX advised that i do because i have an idea for a space program i want to build some day. wish i could tell you a youtube channel i made about it but i learned recently that's against forum rules.

    living in Mexico was when i learned about how cheap it can be to live abroad. for example, im planning on buying a house in Cordóba, Argentina that's a 30min drive from a public university (college is free in Argentina) for only 60-70k. My sister is 350k in debt due to financing the same kind of house in West Virginia. My future house will be paid off the day i move into it.

    that's a poncho i got off amazon but it was made in Mexico. wearing that thing on top of a hoodie has kept me warm for 3 winters now.
     
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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I respect people like you that aren't afraid to take risks or try new adventures.
     
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Congrats, 4 more to stop being a rookie.

    It is?

    Is this a business of yours?

    If not, ask the mods.
     
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