Thinking about second job...

I’ve known people to do it and not get in any trouble. They just don’t run themselves ragged. Usually it’s a small non driving part time job.

 

Really just a few ways for you to get caught. The really bad one would be if you were in an accident and investigators started digging. Then you're screwed and debt won't be an issue. Another is if you tic somebody off that knows the rules and what you're doing. I guess you could also get canned if your company finds out you're moonlighting. It's a risk vs reward thing. Your choice. Just be sure you can live with it.

 

All time worked in one or 1000 employers count against your trucking 70. Theoretically you can work forever, just not drive until you have had your required rest periods.

As far as debt, stop it. Dispose of what you can, pay off the worse one (Uncle Sam) first and work down. Don't forget that 1250 a week is not bad at all. If you could not live on that due to too much debt then I'd say you are bankrupt.

 

You 'could' work out of your home / under the table.....

 

Not knowing where you are at, let me say this. If there is a milk hauling company nearby, you could get on with them working Sat. and Sun. or any days that you are off and stay within the 150 air miles radius and these hours are exempt and do not count against you. These hours just vanish into thin air. Oh, I can hear the debate starting right now, but just ask any well versed DOT officer. I say milk, but this goes for any agriculture product.

 

As long as it's not the same carrier as his 'main' company he can do the 150 a/m .. correct? Intriguing, tbh.

 

Same company or different company, it makes no difference. As long as a driver hauling an agriculture product stays within 150 air miles from the point of origin, he is exempt. He does not log, does not report the time that he works.

 

In 2016-2018, I worked a side gig delivering packages to residential customers for Amazon Flex using my own car. $18/hr minimum for 2-8hrs a day on my days off. I chose my own schedule and worked as hard or as little as I wanted to. I too found myself in a similar situation; averaging $1300/week at my main job and still living paycheck to paycheck. Yes, there were downsides to the side gig but the extra income helped me claw my way out of debt (and skyrocketed my credit score) so it worked out for me in the end. I've been completely debt free now for 4 months.