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Hello, I'm a newbie

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by Suz59, Jan 29, 2015.

  1. Jan 29, 2015 #1
    Suz59

    Suz59 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2015
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    Hi, I'm a trucker's wife. Besides him not being home our biggest problem is how much it costs him to be on the road. He spends $250.00 - $300.00 a week easily on food and whatever else. He was unemployed for a long long time before he got this job and we lived off our credit cards so we have a huge debt to pay off. He has a tiny little fridge in his truck but he doesn't want a microwave or a slow-cooker or one of those lunch-box cookers, he doesn't want to cook. So he stocks up on jerky and chips and whatever he can put in the fridge and just grab and eat when he's home. That only lasts a little while then he lives on junk, McDonalds, Quiznos, etc. which adds up in a hurry. What do you guys do to cut down on road expenses? Suz
     
    Suz59, Jan 29, 2015
    Suz59, Jan 29, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jan 29, 2015 #2
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
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    Suz, I don't carry food on my truck beyond some snacks and drinkables, and I smoke about a pack a day. And I'm surprised when I spend more than $150 a week. Bear in mind, though, I run regional/local and go home every weekend.

    What else besides food is he buying that could be bought cheaper in quantity during hometime? Books, movies, video games, stuff like that? And where is he running generally? Some areas of the country are more expensive than others.
     
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    #2
  4. Jan 29, 2015 #3
    Suz59

    Suz59 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2015
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    Well I was way off, I just looked at the bank book and it's more like $160.00 a week, His company is from Indiana and he does the whole lower 48, he's on a run to Utah right now. Our home is Michigan, he hasn't been home in a month and was supposed to be home for his birthday, Feb 2, but he couldn't resist the money. It seemed like so much because he takes such a huge chunk of cash with him when he goes but he's always gone at least two weeks and usually longer. He could be anywhere from Maine to California, if there's a run going west he can't resist the money since he loves going that way. He doesn't smoke so he's not buying cigarettes, he just plays his guitar and goofs around on his laptop.
     
    Suz59, Jan 29, 2015
    Suz59, Jan 29, 2015
    #3
  5. Jan 29, 2015 #4
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
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    $160 isn't actually bad considering the cost of supporting a driver on the road. It's actually pretty good for a driver staying out a couple of weeks at a time. New England and the Worst Coast (west coast) get pricey, of memory serves me right. Been a while since I've been in either area, but I do seem to remember a bit of sticker shock at the prices for a decent meal.

    A way to cook in the truck would help reduce those costs a bit, but if he's like me (I can barely be trusted to make coffee in the morning) I doubt thatbwould help. Yes, I am helpless in the kitchen. I once screwed up Jello, no joke.
     
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    #4
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  7. Jan 29, 2015 #5
    Calirider

    Calirider Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2015
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    Try to keep things that will fill you up like v8 juices and neat drinks like that and other things
     
    Calirider, Jan 29, 2015
    Calirider, Jan 29, 2015
    #5
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  8. Jan 30, 2015 #6
    x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    become a vegetarian and become healthy. i did over 20 years ago and during the summer passed ALL the physical tests thrown at a sheriff's office here in alabama, i'm 7th on the waiting list and i competed against guys whom i was over twice their age,anyway,it is all in the diet(and staying active/exercising).tell hubby to buy a bigger used fridge from some broke trucker* at a truck stop and pack it full before he leaves out.YOU apparently need to step in and cook/stock/whatever regarding the eating situation.the rest he'll have to do through discipline.

    best of luck.

    * there are times that you can actually get real deals on needed items at truck stops and they are not always being sold by one who is broke. heck,i buy all my cb's from drivers at truck stops and started out buying the smaller/plug in type coolers from drivers. your hubby has got to get a mounted fridge and pack it full.spend what you can now and save really big after-
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2015
    x#1, Jan 30, 2015
    x#1, Jan 30, 2015
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    Suz59 Thanks this.
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