$$ on the road

Um. No, I'm not.

Yes, you are both correct that I pay substantially more - except I do not at all
buy the "same" food - or anything close to it - as one might buy at Walmart. Thankfully so.

Further, as neither of you have any experience on the road, I'll point out that a huge complaint of numerous drivers (when they're feeling political, which is often enough) is the job flight that occurred over many years, and its affect in the USA. Yet where do they shop?

And you don't have to care 'who pays who what'. But then I hope you aren't one of the ones on this very board - or don't become one - who complains endlessly about how little drivers make yada, yada, yada.

Further still, I'm not interested in "saving money over the road". I'm interested in treating myself well. I do not and will not live to work. I work to live. I eat out - and eat out well - very often. I also cook for myself and I cook only quality stuff. Nothing prepackaged, precooked, or tainted with chemicals like artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

This is my choice. It is not the only one available. I do not begrudge others their choices. I'm only pointing out that not only can one live well on the road if one chooses, one can do so and live well when off the road, during home time or when simply not driving or otherwise engaged in truck work. In the very beginning it's harder, as wages are lower, but one can get some experience then move on and up rather swiftly. Lots of us have done it - without eating junky food, developing health issues, gaining 30-50 pounds, or becoming bitter and resentful as so many do and have in this profession.

And, yes, a George Foreman is perfect for the road. Do not use it while moving. A Crock-Pot or the like is good too. Note that most electric cooking devices require substantial wattage. A large inverter is required for their operation.

 

Thanks for the feedback on the grill.
What do you eat that Wal mart doesn't sell..? They sell groceries, coming from teh same places as any other grocery store. A lot of food manufacturers will slap different stickers on the same product and take it to the different stores. Unless you're talking about organic only. Organic just means they don't have rules and regulations on where and how they can grow the stuff. Piece of land isn't suitable for farming? Just call it organic, no red tape to go through.

As for the job flight, that doesn't really have much to do with trucking specifically, that's just America. So many guys on here acting like trucking is the worst thing ever because of all the stuff that's only happened in this industry. It's not trucking, it's everywhere.

 

The formen grill works I have one in my truck. I also have an induction burner that works well. I use my crocpot the most though because I can cook while I drive.

 

Some probably do survive on $50 dollars a month. They are the ones you see scarfing down hotdogs before going to the checkout at the truckstops and walking around the aisles with a mouth full of food they didn't pay for. It's more common than you may think.

 

I'm with you. 2 of us spend $100-$150 a week, and eat out once. Big old chicken salads. Coffee machine in the truck , barely have to stop for anything else. Good food tends to cost a bit more.

 

I'm really curious as to how the trainee in a trainer's truck eats during that phase of his career just after orientation and before being issued his own truck. Obviously, you can't bring your own appliances. I really doubt many trainer's are going to cook for you. Is the trainee pretty much stuck with eating truck stop food or whatever else can be scrounged up during this period? I am guessing for the trainee it may take $16 to $20 per day for food expense in that case. Am I way off base here?

 

No your not way off base. Some trainers may have a fridge and they may or may not let you use it. As a trainee your best bet is to budget in enough money to eat out everyday.

 

We have a GF... As a team though we don't use it much... Not real safe to use while moving unless you have protective garments on :/ We do use the crock pot and the Burton frequently. Luckily we have an inverter so also have a refrigerator and microwave too. For the RARE times we will be sitting and awake for any length of time we even have a small portable propane BBQ