Breakdown of Weekly Expenses as A New Driver…

The costs are nominal. Food and laundry. Truck stops will let you use your points (from buying diesel and def) to pay for food and laundry. You'll make about $6/fillup in points. You'll want a good pair of boots in the winter. Personally, I save my points for the electronics (GPS, CB).

The problem you'll have as a new OTR driver are the swings in income. Especially starting this time of year. If the Wyoming DOT shuts down I-80 when you're on I-80 you're parked earning $0 for how many ever days they want to keep the road shut down. If you're caught in a blizzard you'll shut down until you can safely get out. If you break down you earn nothing the first and last day your truck is at the shop. You'll typically get a nominal amount per day while your truck is in the shop. Not sure what breakdown pay is at Prime. You'll also want a rainy day fund. I keep about $2k on me when I'm on the road. When your truck is in the shop you have to stay in a hotel. Prime will reimburse you eventually, but you have to pay for the hotel for a week or two up front. Worst case if you part ways with Prime for some reason you may need to pay to get yourself home.

 

Also consider two other companies that have cdl training in Springfield.
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Trailiner
Trailiner
Trailiner is a refrigerated truckload carrier in business since 1976. Our trucks and trailers are top of the line. Trailers are 53’ x 102” wide, high-cube refers that can handle almost every kind of product. Tractors are replaced every two years and trailers are replaced every four to six years.
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Wilson Logistics
Wilson Logistics offers a Paid CDL Training Program designed for those with no prior experience wanting to become a professional over-the-road (OTR) truck driver. We have two training locations: Missoula, MT and Springfield, MO. We hire out of all the lower 48 states.
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Prime can't just issue the driver an EFS check? They really make the driver pay for it and it takes a week or two to reimburse the driver? That's pretty crappy in 2021, I'm really surprised a company as big as Prime won't just issue an EFS check.

Get a cooler from Walmart that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Even if you have a fridge get that cooler anyways. Shop at Walmart when you can. Don't cheap out on a phone plan, get a good one. It can act as so much more than a phone. It acts as an internet hotspot, entertainment, music, GPS. Get a good phone plan, get a good phone, get with a good network, do not cheap out on the phone.

The biggest way to save money being an OTR driver is by not paying rent/mortgage, utilities, property taxes, trash pickups, all the costs that come with either owning a home or renting. So if you don't have rent/mortgage then you should be able to save about $20,000 your first year and that includes going through the month or so of training where you will make less money than you will as a solo driver.

 

I don't know which type drug test Wilson and Trailiner do; urine or hair follicle.
Prime does urine.

 

I’d try to use your Own money, not cash advances. Keep things simple. Watch your pennies, or you won’t have any dollars. I hate 3rd party ATM charges. They really add up against your Bank statement. I often use Wal mart as my Bank ATM, when I need some pocket money, and no Banks around. A .50 purchase, and get up to $100 cash back, as many times as needed. ATM fees, Cash advance Fees, Comcheck Fees, I’m a Truckdriver and am at your Mercy Fees. Along with the inflated prices at Truckstops, can eat up half a paycheck easily. It all adds up. Paying cash for small items, keeps spending down for Me anyway. Keeps things simple, and easier to stay in control of money. Whoa!! I’ve already spent $200!! Etc. In the same way, savings all add up.

 

Don't use banks; join a credit union. If you're a military veteran, use USAA Federal Bank.
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Personal, Checking, Savings, Credit Cards | USAA
https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/banking

 

Your rainy day fund could just be like an amex card or something.

You can get points for the motel and then your company will pay you for the room the next week.

I use amex a lot and now if I need to fly anywhere it's pretty much paid for in points.

 

I started trucking with maybe $100, no car, living on my brother's couch when I was "home".

I spent money on coffee daily and whatever food I ate, plus phone calls. In 3 weeks of CDL school and 8 weeks of riding with a trainer I don't recall spending money on anything else. I never planned to pay for a hotel. That is the company's responsibility. I would have a credit/debit card or cash for a greyhound bus ticket back home if training was especially bad. But go into training with the idea that only murder or rape can get you out of that truck. Nothing else is worth quitting over. Get through training and life gets better. Don't use pay advances from the company. They just start a vicious cycle where your next paycheck is always short by the amount of your previous advances. Better to live on a credit card for week or two and then pay cash for everything when you start earning. You can get by on 1 meal a day and 1 or 2 snacks. Soft drinks are expensive & unhealthy. Drink water.

As a trainee you are not responsible for the costs of anything related to the truck. Your trainer will know the procedure to get t he company to pay for towing, hotels, breakdowns, etc. Play up your poverty status and your trainer may even pay for a fast-food meal or two.

For a phone I'd recommend Visible and/or US Mobile. They use Verizon's towers and are $25 for unlimited calls,texts,data if you join someone's group where 4 or 5 strangers participate in a 4 lines for $100 deal. I think US Mobile is $30/mo for the same unlimited everything. Your phone will be your lifeline for communication & entertainment. Don't sign up for networks that only have coverage within arms length of the interstate highways. Get something on the Verizon network.

You will be so busy in training all you may do is sleep, drive, eat, and shower. Get a fuel rewards card at every chain truckstop. You may not earn any rewards until you start buying fuel on your own fuel card. Your trainer can get you a free shower as a team driver any time he showers. The shower is a private bathroom/shower. Driv ers are entitled to a free shower when they buy enough fuel. Food & an emergency bus ticket are about the only thing you can spend money on during training.