How to save?

I started out with $13k that I got from selling a vehicle that I owned outright and no longer needed. I put $4,800 down on a truck (2009 Intl. Prostar 13-speed Cummins 435hp, 499k odometer) with Lone Mountain Truck Leasing with 45-month payments of $1,395.00, and put $6,000 aside for maintenance. Develop a business plan, budget, watch your fuel, do as much maintenance yourself, but you have 8-years experience so I am not telling you nothing you do not already know probably. I leased myself back onto Swift, which was who I was a company driver for the easy transition and low start-up cost. I plan on moving over to LandStar later.....

 

Like an idiot, I did a L/P. I completed it in two years, it was a terrible decision, but looking back it taught me a whole lot. I learned the hard way and I encourage ppl NOT to do what i did. But between my trade and cash i put 12k on a good truck and Im doing a lot better now. Leasing with the right company is crucial to youre success, do good research.

 

Check Cardinal Logistics; they have a purchase plan, not a lease/pruchase either. I know some 0/0's that are with them and making good money.

 

I worked as a company driver for several years, and saved like crazy. I was able to save up enough to put a good down payment on my first truck. Listen though, getting the truck is the "easy" part. If you're thinking about going o/o make sure you have enough in the bank to cover yourself when business drops. 40k would be the absolute minimum you should start with. It's a mistake many people (including myself) have made

 

Start a separate bank account and setup an automatic payment plan and forget about it. Say $100 a week or whatever amount works for you. Look at it as an expense that must be paid and forget about it.

 

What I did was hook up w/ a company I could make some serious cash with from the start. 6 months later I had enough for the down payment, 2 months of truck payments, and about 6k set aside for incidentals. But I had to WORK to get it.

 

work and save, its simple

 

Don't buy anything at truck stops, except fuel.