Rates are crashing and fuel to the moon!

Operating cost for 300 miles would have been at least $360

 

It’s pretty neat if you ever get the chance. You have to make a reservation and it takes about 4 hours. Trucks back on last so you get to be down below when they open the gate and are putting it into the ramp. Plus with a commercial spot you get a key to one of the little rooms that has a sink and toilet and bed. It’s called the SS Badger.

Plus it avoids Chicago. Lol

 

I’m working 12 hr shifts. 7 pm till 7 am M-F. Doing a shuttle run. This week it’s going to be below 0 windchills. Tonight’s going to be the coldest, windiest. I average in and out of Truck 50-60 times per night. Usually 14-16, 6 mile trips, D&H both ends. Losing weight, building back lost muscles in stomach and legs. It’s an easy job. Good for my health. Except when it’s -10 !!! I really do miss running south this time of year. Looking for springtime. Hoping this is the last real cold snap. Seriously doubt I’ll do this crap next winter. It’s going to be a rough week.

 

I'm doing my part to help ya'll out with the rates by staying home this winter. It's my 2nd year of taking winters off and I love it. It's great for dealing with burnout too. Trucking up north here in the winter is stressful/miserable/dangerous and you wind up making less money with the cold weather mpg loss,slower driving and higher risk of an accident.

Much respect to you guys out there keeping the world moving through this snow,ice and sub-zero temps.

 

I would pay $360 to avoid Chicago every chance I get, took the ferry with a 1 ton pulling a trailer once, it was pretty cool

 

$360 is well worth it . Did the SS Badger in personal vehicle. Very cool trip !!

 

That was always my goal as well to get to a point where I could take the winters off... maybe 1 day

 

The key is to live way below your means and get out of debt. I've gotten my monthly personal expenses down to $2,500 a month and paid my old W9 off years ago. Trucking hard as an owner op I can net 10-15k a month, but even when I do i stay living on $2,500.

All my hobbies are cheap or free from reading books,going to the gym and paddleboarding,cycling and snow shoeing etc... You don't have to spend a lot to have a great life and be happy.

 

#### dude, that’s all I bring home now working for the man, and I have expensive hobbies.

 

Thats part of the reason I keep my cost of living low so push comes to shove I can go get a regular job around here paying 20-25 hr and still be okay.

As far as the expensive hobbies go I find there's usually a cheaper alternative and it's usually healthier too. Like instead of a snowmobile I have cross country skis and snow shoes. Instead of a motorcycle I have a bicycle and instead of a jet ski or boat I have a paddleboard and kayak. They all get me outdoors having a good time and don't need hardly any maintenance.