Running with JCT, Part Deux

Really? Why not? Someone is giving you $0.04/gallon. Does it matter if it's at the pump or not? Like I said, for me and my fuel purchases it comes to over $60.00 a month and whether I save it at the pump or my bank account, it's less money I am parting with personally. Sure, it's not a direct savings, it's an indirect savings, but it's a savings nonetheless.

 

By the way, I would like a gigantic "thank you" to the ##### HOLE that dropped trailer 5601 @ WCC. Trailer tires are supposed to be set @ 100 psi, not 70 or 135. Again, thank you ##*WIPE for making me waste my time and adjust the tires Brower I can safely roll.

 

I take issue of the claim of 9¢ off the cash price when it isn't so. Getting points has nothing to due with what you pay for fuel.

For me, the points to buy things in the store is a mute point because I stock my truck with food and drinks for while on the road. I can usually get a free drink or shower from the mom and pop truck stops and pay 10¢ - 20¢ less per gallon for my fuel.

 

You may not be able to use the points for fuel, but you can use them for tools, tires, mud flaps, bits & bobs you need to repair, or a plethora of other things that you'd otherwise be paying cash out of pocket for to avoid dealing with our cumbersome red tape imposed by road service.

Case in point: I used points to buy a mud flap to replace one that was dangling off a trailer because I didn't have the time or inclination to drive illegally to a TA to do things "the road service way".

Their rigid requirements make minor repairs a pain in the ###. We should be able to get an amount, request an EFS check, and fax them the receipt... but no, I guess that would be too simple!

 

Yes and no. Let me put it into accounting terms. Would you agree that anything you buy out here is a business expense and every penny you spend takes away from the bottom line. It doesn't matter if you look at P & ,L statement for a week, month, or year. You spend money on things out here in order to run or be able to run your business (oil, wipers, additives, milk, bread, water, etc.) With that said, they are giving me "cash" to spend on their store. Now I can get those items mentioned above for free, thus not taking away from the bottom line.
Essentially. I am getting $750 a year to spend towards my expenses which saves me $750 on my bottom line. It doesn't matter if it comes on the fuel purchase or any other form. It's a savings from my bottom line.
You said you stock things on your truck. Well you paid with your own money, right? The points allow me to get it got free. Call it at the pump savings, fuel rebate, happy birthday money, or whatever you want. I get a nickel off for fuel and $0.04 bonus per gallon.

 

Food is technically free as it is covered by per diem and that lowers my taxable income. Any other purchases for the truck further lowert taxable income. The lower my taxable income, the less taxes I pay, which is more money in my pocket.

You can't claim the free wipers, fluids, etc and that does nothing for you at the end of the year. The money I save on taxes more than offsets $750.

 

You're missing the point. Free is free. Food isn't free if you pay for it regardless of the per diem. You buy food and claim the per diem . If you get food for free AND claim a per diem, that's a bonus for you.
When it comes tax time, you don't get back what you spend. For every dollar you spend and write off,, you only get approximately 20% back or what ever tax bracket you fall into. Never turn down an opportunity to get something for free.
Besides, you should never have to claim all of your expenses at tax time. You should have plenty with your fuel, trick payment, insurances, and maintenance. I never claim all my stuff because tot can actually claim too much and lower your refund. If I claimed every write off, I would cheat myself a few thousand dollars in refund.

 

We will just to agree to disagree because I won't pay $3.93 for fuel if I can go a little further or little Sooner and get for $3.75.

If technically you get an extra 4¢ off the price of fuel for points earned, then technically my food is free because of per diem.

 

I'm not disagreeing about buying cheap fuel. I'm a strong proponent of buying the cheapest fuel possible. I was merely explaining your original question about the ,$0.09 discount and dime of the advantages of using points.
Yes there are places out there where you can save a substantial amount on fuel, but it needs to be at least $0.09 cheaper than the loves cash price to be worth it and those places are few and far between.

 

Ok. So, in order for you to bypass Loves, the price needs to be at least 9¢ cheaper than Loves. That makes sense to me. Saying you get 9¢ off the cash price at Loves because you get 4x the points makes no sense to me because points don't affect the price.