How Much does it cost to live out of your truck?

and look at the numerous and humerous posts to your simple question.educational too! pretty cool-

 

Depending on how well you can equip your truck, figure on a high startup cost... you'll be buying a cooler or fridge, and stuff to cook with, and, if you have a powerful enough inverter, a microwave, as well. But you'll save money in the long run on food you prepare yourself, rather than buying prepared meals.
Entertainment... I had a Verizon mifi I used for Internet access, which I wrote off as a business expense, since I used it to send in Transflo sheets, logs, etc. I think that was $70/month. You'll want a cell phone... that can be anything from the $35/month Straight Talk up to a contract plan. Again, a lot of that can be written off.
Laundry... you usually need cash on that, and if you're going to get cash, I'd recommend you go to Walmart, Target, etc. and get cash back by paying debit at the cashier instead of withdrawing it from the truck stop ATMs, because they'll milk you in fees.... typically, $3 per withdrawal or so.
Showers.... if you buy 50 gallons or more, you get a free shower which you have to use fairly quickly. If your company has you fuel at terminals, take one at the terminal. It's either that or spending $10 per shower. And, if you're somewhere you can't shower (e.g., parked at a customer lot until they get there to unload you), carry some baby wipes.... that was a "field shower" during my Army days, and, IMO, much more desirable to do that than let yourself be a funkmaster. I didn't really hang out in other drivers' trucks when I was OTR, and maybe that's why I can't get used to it, but when I have to pull a truck into a shop, and it's one of those drivers who is a funkmaster, it always feels overwhelming, no matter how much our other mechanics tell me, "Oh, that's nothing... that's not even in the top 50".
And don't isolate yourself in that truck. Seriously. If you have the time, park at a mall every now and then and catch a movie. Get some sodas, candy bars, whatever from Wally World, sneak them into the theater (yes, I'm going to advocate that).... being in a truck 24/7 is a pretty dismal thing. Treat yourself a little.... I'm not saying do it every night, but every now and then to break the monotony.
As stated several times already, I'm sure (as I haven't read through the replies), try not to buy stuff at a truck stop if you don't have to.
And the rest depends on your spending habits. I bought a big radio and a good antenna, but I didn't break the bank doing it, and I saved up for it all before I bought it. You never want to let yourself become dependent on cash advances, because those cost you. The company will bill you, then the cashier will bill you (unless you buy a certain amount of fuel at the time you're cashing it).
I see a lot of people spend money on satellite TVs and crap like that... IMO, if you're getting your money's worth out of it, you're sitting way too much. I personally wouldn't bother with it, and if I were to get a TV, I'd just use the antenna. I didn't have one, though.

 

I was about 150 pounds overweight when I was laid off from a local job driving a concrete truck for 3 years. Two months ago I started Nutrisystem and have lost 58 pounds so far. No other jobs here so getting back into OTR. My plan is to spend about $310 a month for this diet plan and buying fresh fruits and vegetables. The Nutrisystem foods are delicious if you stay away from the older freeze dried crap. I picked the program that allowed me to choose my own food for $20 more a month. Also going with the vegetarian plan. So it's only about $11 a day to eat right and stay healthy.

The meals are very nutritious and low calorie. Because you are eating high nutrition foods, you are not hungry an hour later. Plus with the plan you eat 5 meals a day on top of snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables. The meals aren't refrigerated (dry storage). You can microwave them or use a 12 volt RoadPro portable stove ($27 on www.amazon.com ). You can get shakes from them. They taste great and are quick meals. They just mix with water and they provide a nice shaker cup that you can easily rinse with water and a drop of liquid soap. Then shake and rinse after use (do not put this cup in a dishwasher). Even when I reach my target weight I plan on staying with these foods. Most of the meals taste amazing. Like the Pasta Fagioli Soup - YUM!

 

More power to you, Diantane! Sounds like you've found the right answer for you to lose weight and get healthy. More importantly you've found a "system" for managing your food over the road.

I was musing on a comment in another thread (that I can't find right now) from somebody saying why OTR sucks. One part of the reason why this forum member thought OTR was a terrible experience was because "you have to eat fast food and truck stop food" IIRC. That begs the question, "Why?"

Nobody is forcing any trucker to eat fast food, junk food, or "truck stop food". Nobody. The only things preventing a trucker from eating a healthy and satisfying diet on the road are:

1. Lack of planning - to shop and stock up on fresh food.
2. Lack of investment in a cooler, refrigerator, and necessary cooking implements - and it is an investment that will pay for itself within a month.
3. Emotional block - the "I can't cook, have never cooked, and don't want to cook" excuse. I can park my truck, prepare a meal, and be cleaned up and ready for bed within 30 minutes. It takes that long or longer to get your meal at a fast food joint. My meal costs about $3-4 and is far more satisfying and nutritious.

 

Good luck Diantane. WV is definitely a black hole for jobs. My pizza delivery guy has a college degree lol.

 

You must have a big truck to live in it but if i was you id at least get an apartment because pretty soon your going to be tired of being in that small space

 

After spending all my money on rent for an apartment every month, I removed the bed from my pick-up and build a camper. Lived rent free for 9 months and saved my money. Then I bought a house and moved out of the camper. If I can live in that small space for so long, a modern sleeper would be a godsend.