Being on the road and saving money

Lots of good advice in that previous post.

I've been using the same Koolatron 12volt cooler for 20 years or so and found it works very well but I rarely get south of I-70 so intense heat is not usually an issue.

 

By FAR the best 12v appliance I've purchased! I have the "Funcool" model (I think about 30 quart/liter capacity) and it's been great for having fresh produce, dairy products, and also keeps bread fresher longer.

Regarding starches: do avoid ramen. They are deep fried to prepare them, heavy in oils and salt. For healthy starches that are easy to prepare I've gone with whole wheat bagels, oatmeal, and cous cous. The oatmeal and cous cous are prepared by getting hot water for free at any truck stop in a thermos bottle and pouring that into a sealable tupperware bowl. Sometimes I'll prepare cous cous with olive oil, garlic salt, and nuts, then wrap in a towel and it's perfect for my 30 minute break 5-7 hours into the day as my lunch.

I probably average a restaurant or other fast food meal about once a week. The balance of the time I'm stocking up my truck at Walmart or any other grocery store along the way. I started by trying to do that as a weekly thing, but now I'm restocking 2-3 times a week and not filling the Koolatron as much... so my produce is fresher. I now rotate my basic produce items for variety.

Bananas and apples make a healthy snack while driving and won't give you "the nods" like a heavy hamburger meal will. I try to avoid eating big meals before or during my shift, with the goal to be hungry for a nice dinner whenever I finish and then hit the bunk.

My average cost for food each week is working out to $60 +/- $5.

 

As a wanna be truck driver, this is all very good info here.

 

I went home once and left my bankcard there when I came back out....to stretch the money I had whenI had to do laundry (we all know how expensive the pilot washers are) instead of useing the dryers I put up a load bar in my mt trailer and hung em up in there to dry..lol now thats cheap the money I saved paid for my ice for da cooler....dont think it would work in the winter tho....lol

 

Lol.great idea!!

 

Lol thats some good thinking. I plan on buying al my cooking utensils I need before I leave for trucking school, so when I go solo, im prepared for the most part. Be safe out there everyone

 

Stock up on baby wipes....lots of baby wipes...when u think u got enuff.....buy some more

And get your pilot card and loves card before u start...that way you can get a shower credit. First time u fuel

 

Thanks, does it matter if I have it before I go for company traning? Im not taking the private school route.

 

Nope...go in .ask for it. And register it online..that will put u ahead of the game

 

Nice, gonna add that to my packing list. What you think of buying a truck gps now before hand. Im currently still working and getting every thing straight, so im prepared with the big ticket items and have enough cash in the bank for a month if needed.