Shortage of Drivers?

A lot of Lawyers actually work for peanuts do to the overbundance of lawyers in the United States. Not to mention the ungodly amount of college students who end up pursuing a law degree.

Doctors are up there but that is over a decade of schooling to get there and few hundred thousand dollars in debt to make that money as well.

A $300,000.00 home in the county I live in is almost a mansion for christ sake. Your money goes a lot further elsewhere in this country.

 

Earning a "comfortable" living is relative. If you need $2,000/week to live comfortably, you may have your priorities mixed up or live in one of the communist states where they think they need to tax everything that is not nailed down along with taxing the air you breathe. If you need that much money to make payments on a lot of toys, then try saving and paying cash for things. You might find that you can be comfortable and much happier earning less with what you own being paid off. Not to specifically pick on you, but many people with whom I talk may make a lot of money but don't seem to be happy or have much peace of mind. They work to make payments. I won't live that way. You can really have more if you are disciplined and can learn to save for what you want. Where you live can have a huge impact on what you need to earn to live comfortably. It is much cheaper to live in Iowa than New York or Connecticut. You might need $2,000/week to have the same lifestyle in those states where you could earn $35-40,000 and have as good or better lifestyle in Iowa.

 

It's pretty hard to save money when your monthly expenses equal your income. Like the financial guru John Reed said, you have to make money to save money. Of course not all of an $8,000 monthly income would go for expenses you need that much to live comfortably by my standard and still be able to save so you won't have to work when you're 65 years old.

 

I am just curious DTB - how much do you think you need in the bank in order for complete retirement?

 

Thats the plan.

 

What other front line business do owners have to scrape for a few pennies on the dollar?
Would your yard man cut your grass for $50 if it cost him $47?
I think not.

 

Trucking for one.
Or if I employed 5,000 grass cutters at a time. Or 5,000 truckers. On a micro scale it doesn't work, but on a macro one, you have Werner and Swift's business model.

 

Bingo! I even get by on the $40,000 range plus benefits out here is dusty, hot, nasty, smoggy SoCal, where the average apartment rent is nearly $1,000 per month. It is all about priorities, budgeting, living within means (does not mean you have to live like a poor person), and using your head some.

I quite driving for the carriers and ag haulers when they both worked me nearly half to death, took a modest paying government driving job, hauling general and some specialized all over the State, and it is a good job. But I won't get rich. And I made more out there running the Lower 48. But at least I have something I at least like.

In about 10 years I can hang it up with a retirement coming in every month and, if I am healthy, I will head out of here and take that modest pension, maybe pick up another driving job, and live a better lifestyle in a better place like an Iowa, Indiana, what have you.

Too many people are focused on money and things. I live comfortably now on a modest, middle income. So can just about anybody who puts their mind to it. Just try some small things: I have Basic Cable. Saves $40 a month. I don't need MSNBC and CNN screaming at me. It is amazing how quickly you find you don't need them. I buy my perishables at the grocery store at regular prices, but my canned stuff, my dry goods at 99 Cent Only Store and save $30 to $50 a month. Twice a month I shut down the pick up truck for two days and just walk. Saves gas money AND Exercise. I always end up with at least a few hundred left over the previous month's check and have no negative impacts on my life. It ain't hard, people. Just give it a whirl.

 

There she is,nice to see ya back on the forum.

 

Good point. It reminds of the work I am doing now. In summary it costs me $350 a week to earn $800-$900. Great "business" huh?

After one winter in Iowa or Indiana you'll be dreaming of being back in So-Cal.