Ok guys... I am starting to re-think being a trucker.... you've scared me

Why you think I said I had to get a new Louisville slugger LOL You won't catch me driving a school bus

But, you might catch me driving a mixer Pay is decent, and it's seasonal too. And, it won't be bothering me during the number 1 holiday of the south, deer season.

 

I saw on another post, crete drvr made 'bout 50 thou, same time off.

 

Danc694u How much do you actually spend"on the road" "not at home" ? I get by on less then 50 a week, most the time more like 25 dollars, I dont have to stop and eat at every waffle house i see,Ill Go to walmart on sundays fill the cooler and im good all week. Then again Im home almost every weekend so i reckon it might be different for those that stay out for monthes. But just because most drivers buy a new radio everytime they see one with more lights on it then theres has, and stop for three meals, two showers , and coffee six times, and every cafe risque they see doesnt mean that all drivers do. MY goal all week is to work as fast and as hard as i can to make revenue for the truck and i may just get home on thrusday , like this week.

 

Driving a straight truck for coke or Pepsi is a terrible job if you have to hump the stuff into the stores
A good friend of mine says many guys go on work mans comp for back injuries
He made it 5 years

 

I have a few comments on this topic.
1. If you are not looking to make it a lifestyle, don't bother to try it. You will not last.
2. If your little comforts are that big an issue, that you have to have them. Don't bother.
3. I am careful with my money, but I spend 100 a week on the road. My take home pay is usually around 950 a week. I have it budgeted for 100, whatever is left at the end of the week goes into savings.
4.The common misconception that driving a truck is an easy way to make some money is just that a misconception. It is a hard job and extremely technical, if you are going to do it well and safe. Probably more so than your rigging job.
5. I did the mixer thing myself for a year or so. Watch out, they are top heavy. That is not easy work eather, you dont just drive the truck. And when you get a hot load, you will chip the truck yourself after.

6. And last but not least. Looking at all your posts I can say without a doubt. DON'T bother. You will not last 3 months after you upgrade. You will still owe the CDL school when you walk.

 

I don't want to sugar coat it. I want these guys to have a realistic expectation of what's to come.

Based on your statements, you're not the average driver. You and I both get home on weekends. While many of us restrict our spending on the road. I would bet 3 times that amount (possibly more) live paycheck to paycheck.

And, a noob, will fall into the latter group. He'll have to BUY that cooler, radio, invertor, microwave, first.

But, to answer your question. I "average" about $100 a week on the road. I spent $40 this week. This includes all expenses to the truck, that I get reimbursed for. And I don't have a fridge on the truck. I eat a "cooked" meal maybe twice during that period.

And again, we're speaking "averages". So we have to consider the bad with the good. The guy that brought home a ZERO paycheck is just as important as you or me when we give these people an answer to their questions about what they can expect to bring home.

You and I may well break the 50K mark this year in earnings, I know I will. But it doesn't mean a new guy/gal will do it within his first 2-3 years. And it certainly doesn't mean they will bring home 50K.

Basic tax rate will see an average of 27% taken out up front, Medicare, FICA, State, etc. That brings us down to $36,500 for "possible" bring home.

Take another $100 a month for insurance (yeah right). We're down to 35.3

Take JUST $50 a week out for OTR expenses/meals. We're down to 32.9 And, the majority of drivers out here won't live on JUST $50 a week. They lack the self control.

Student loans, are an OTR expense. Whether you drive local or OTR. How much is that payment?

As you well know. There are numerous other expenses that can be added on this list. And the figures above are very low.

So $25K for the first 3 years...bring home. Is a realistic figure for most.

And a quick check of this forum will tell you, many people are making SUB-par wages. How many miles do you have to drive a week to make $1000, at .11 a mile? Or .26 a mile

 

I hear ya what your saying driver, for my take home i just figure my net pay everyweek i dont subtract food and tolitetries etc. because those are nessecities that would be bought regardless of occupation, I actually save a lot more money now then when i was working construction and the Marine corps before that, because i have less time to go down to bass pro and such. I also understand that i am a lot more fortunate then most new drivers in the fact i got on with (in my opinion) one of the better companies. I do realize the insurance, unexpected expenses, etc. play a huge part in how much money there is to make, but from my perspective it seems that work ethic has a huge part of why most drivers arnt making money, I am not a supertrucker or what not but if i have the oppertunity to get a few extra hours of driving i take advantage of it.

 

I may "average" a $100 a week in OTR expenses. But, I plan for $200. I take that off the top of every check, when I factor my bring home pay. I live on a planned monthly budget, written down by the third week of the previous month. And I always treat my bank account as if it had a ZERO balance at all times.

That's a bit much for most folks. But, it works for me.


If you're single, or your spouse rides with you. Toiletries could be considered part of the every day life. Otherwise you have to consider it a separate, but necessary household. Besides, you can deduct those

I use ink pens at home. But, I don't buy for both and consider it a household expense. I actually use different pens on the road. I prefer a specific brand/kind for doing my log books. The wife prefers a specific kind for everyday use at home.

Self control and self motivation, are the 2 leading factors for making and keeping money.

But, too many (myself included) get sidetracked from time to time. It's just too easy to drop $500 in a day, if you aren't careful.

I've done that myself in the past. And may well do it again, if I get too close to the candy/toy store

I actually carry an ATM card, NOT a debit card. It has a $200 a day limit on it for that reason. Toy stores, and my former addiction to toys

 

Danc, are you a trainer? It sounds like it in your former post. For others that are saying up to three months I agree. Prime Inc of Springfield Mo, makes you go out for 60K miles or 3-4 months. If you go through their CDL program it is 50K miles.

To the thread starter, try pepsi or coke. They are always hiring.

King

 

I used to train, at my former company.

Done that until they started placing steering wheel holders in a truck to run solo. My idea of a safe driver, and safety's idea were not the same.

I could go on and on. And, I could point out some really good students I trained. But, the BAD ones stand out more in my mind.