Retiring Early To become a Trucker... Should I Yes or No???

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CoachGKJ, Apr 15, 2022.

  1. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    In my humble opinion…. Playa de Carmen like 29 miles south of Cancun is the place to go ……..
     
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  3. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    I was thinking maybe Mesquite?
     
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  4. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ... I'd say in 3 years with current inflation rate and money printing $5100 will have very similar purchase power as 3800 today
     
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  5. supergreatguy

    supergreatguy Road Train Member

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    Take a portion of the equity out on your house and LEARN TO TRADE STOCKS AND OPTIONS. You will make way more and be able to do way more.
     
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  6. surf_avenue

    surf_avenue Bobtail Member

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    Read your post, from what I can gather the problem is getting burnt
    out from teaching and your desire to GTFO out of here to a secret
    happy affordable place.

    Which happens to be my escape plan but with a difference where
    you have a choice and I do not because I own zero real estate, a
    very dangerous situation in todays corporate owned hell hole that
    is Murica where if someone became a resident of Skid Row they may
    have a zero survival rate or worse than Sub Saharan Africa, SE Asia etc.

    So lets get rid of the real estate and get rid of any doubts for the plan
    before the Ponzi scam rates go up, paying rent for a few years won't
    hurt that much since we know for sure where the future home is.

    For truck driving I would put in for a extended leave of absence say 3 to
    6 months and see if you like up to 70 hours of driving every week for a pay
    check, the training costs by a Mega is about $5000 and you might be able
    to earn enough in 3 to 6 months to pay it off and take care of expenses if
    you plan and live frugally for a while.

    IF you do not like being a truck driver and the pay is meh for a noob you
    just took a long needed break to escape the usual grind, kind of like a
    working vacation, no harm no foul just continue with the teaching job and
    stick to the plan.
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2022
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  7. staceydude

    staceydude Road Train Member

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    If you wish to message me I can try and answer a few questions. Startup costs are quite high right now as equipment is crazy expensive although I have seen some prices dropping as of late and more availability. That being said it is no small investment and the current economy is a bit iffy. You would have to really consider what type of freight you wish to carry etc and put pen to paper and fully think about what your goals are.

    I started my adulthood as an Aircraft Mechanic in the military and then as a civilian for Bombardier/Learjet. Then I taught adults (Aircraft Mechanics for 6-7 years and then Pilots for the better part of
    14 years so approximately 22 years) it is a grind. To whomever posted that driving a truck requires every minute of alertness never taught for a living or didn’t put much effort into it. Teaching is a mental grind much more than trucking. I can drive and be fully aware of my surroundings and still relax. Hard to do while teaching one lesson after another and talking technical jargon for hours on end. Fun at first but it becomes mind numbing. I’m sure trucking can do. I just don’t get bored while I drive as of yet.

    I would more than likely have retired there had my part of the company not been bought out by a crap competitor and then vivid hit a year later and I got furloughed. So I made the decision to start driving with the phenomenal advice and mentoring if @blairandgretchen . Times were a bit different then but I think if you don’t grossly overpay for equipment and you haul the right freight.

    I’ll be 57 this year and went straight into Owner Operator approx 19-20 months ago. September will be 2 years.

    Your health and your families health should be considered also before starting. My wife has Addison’s disease and although had an episode or two here and there was really pretty darn healthy before I started. Literally the week I went to pick up my trailer she went into ICU in Chicago while visiting her sister and my nephews. Has been in emer room several times since and has gotten sick numerous times while I have been gone and (one reason I only put in 47k miles) she is at home sick right now and my daughter is over visiting helping her. I also just had eye surgery and wasn’t able to drive for 6 weeks. Thankfully all my junk is paid for. My wife health and my eyes have forced me to consider other avenues but for now I love driving and truth be told nothing says you can’t pick and choose a load or 10 going somewhere you wish to go and enjoy the trip on the way. You pick your load and where you go with your own numbers. You come and go when you wish.

    Anyhow, like I said feel free to message me if you want and I will answer any questions I can.
     
  8. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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    Didn’t read your post. Or any others for that matter as this comes up daily

    Many make $$$ and just as many or perhaps more lose $$$$$$

    Bottom line it will come down to you and your ability to run a business or be a company driver that makes it

    For every guy who says it sucks and money sucks and getting up sucks there is a guy, myself included that have no problems with the job and have made good money along the way

    Not everyone should be in this business or any other for that matter
    But everyone has the same opportunity to make it. Some just get it. Or figure it out sooner
     
  9. CoachGKJ

    CoachGKJ Bobtail Member

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    This is why i am looking to relocate.
     
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  10. CoachGKJ

    CoachGKJ Bobtail Member

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    I deeply appreciate all the comments, and insight. I understand the risks and the economy right now. I have 5 months, to make my decision,

    A little back story, My plan last year, was to move this year to Caribbean , last June we spent 30 days looking at properties, we found some but my wife got hit in back of head by a student at her school and now has to continue to receive medical treatment here in the U.S. until she is totally recovered from the mini strokes she had due to the injury in November. Every time i see kids hitting/fighting/being disrespectful (only about 25 times a day). I bite my tongue so i dont loose my $#!% on the little prides of joy. Is the mental anguish of trucking worse than this???
     
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  11. staceydude

    staceydude Road Train Member

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    I should note when I said other avenues in my post above, I am meaning other commodities. I am trying to stay more local and flatbed local in DFW is a tough market.
     
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