Saved income

This may also have something to do with IRS and per diem paid by some companies, and the way you file taxes each year. It has to do with the allowances and expenses while you are on the road, otherwise with no address you are a roving gypsy with no need to claim expenses is the idea.

 

Many schools will finance their tuition, albeit at high interest rates. But once you start making decent money in 2-3 months you can pay it off quickly if you live frugally. That way you're not tied to a company (which will often charge you 2-3x the going rate of a 160hr truck school should you not stay the minimum amount of time).

Definitely get a fridge, inverter, microwave, coffee maker as soon as you can afford. Just buying truckstop/restaurant coffee can cost you $1000/year -- and that's if you don't stop and pick up some snack or trinket on the way to the counter.

Still, treat yourself occasionally. I have a decent sit-down meal and read the paper once a week over the course of my 34/36... A few times a year I also rent a car I couldn't afford to own and spend a day exploring the touristy stuff in whatever area I happen to be "stuck" in (usually when dealing with a breakdown).


As for my first year, I grossed about $45K and was able to pay off $10K worth of debt while investing an additional $10K. This on top of ~$6,000 in expenses at home. And I was not completely successful in avoiding buying truck stop junk & junk food.

 

In the past, I have heard of truck drivers that live ONLY out of their trucks. They do NOT have an apartment or any place to go back home to. When I say in the past, I am referring to the early 1990's, give or take about 20 years ago. It looks as though times have changed. I did NOT realize that it was MANDATORY to have an actual physical address to maintain a CDL. It is a shame that PO boxes do NOT count.