"Are you sure you wanna do this?", said everyone. 6 month update.

Glad so hear someone else has done the same crazy arse thing I did. Got my CDL from a 5 day (1hr each) truck school, threaten my employer at the time to straighten up which they did for about 8-9 months in which then I set forward with plans to truck.

Your exactly right about the stress part, holy shat. I'm in the same boat, no 10k emergency money, it hot used when I got on the road a month behind then when I planned. But I'm still here 14 months later, been through 44 of the states.

I started with using a dispatch service to find in 3 they kind of lacked, so I started doing it myself with the wife's help back home. Around then I found the lane that works for me, usually aim for 1k a day the truck's moving, my outbound run usually no prob and return run usually a little under which averages out.

Brokers have learned my lane and are starting to call if they something.

I think things are starting to head in the correct direction. Good luck driver.

 

I'm holding out for awhile longer. I'm putting away $200 to $300 a week into savings.

 

There's no such thing as a reserve to large. I was saving from Day 1 in this career to make sure I had funding available when crap went sideways...and it will, eventually, go sideways.

 

I haven't even made up my mind if I want to actually buy a truck. I got a good gig right now, if I do but a truck ill most likely lease it on with my current carrier

 

It's a big jump and a real "Oh Jeebus" moment when the papers are signed and the keys are handed over. But when you get in your truck, yours...not one you've been assigned...it's a whole new feeling.

 

Yeah I tried, sort of when I did a lease back in 2015. #### near lost my house

 

I'm sure you learned from that experience. And I'm just as sure, when you're ready, and the time is right, you'll jump in and be successful .

 

That is why the OP is a ticking time bomb. If you don't have at least $10K reserves or at least a means to come up with it, one major breakdown or accident and you are done, just like that.

Even if you manage not to eventually go broke, there is a chance you'll end up with worn out equipment, no means to replace it, and nothing to show for your time behind the wheel.

Some people like living on the edge I guess, I just don't have the stomach for it anymore.

 

I agree that the OP is climbing a pretty steep hill, but there's something to be said for the size of his nards for even trying on such a shoestring .