Saving Money as a Truck Driver

Being on the road is hard enough without thinking about saving money. Unfortunately for truck drivers, it’s easy to overlook your savings and just continue spending. It’s no secret that the longer you’re on the road, the easier it is to stop being so frivolous, but it’s still not that simple. If you’re concerned about your finances and you’re ready to take the wheel when it comes to building up your savings, we’re here to help. Below are 5 tips that will help you start saving and start working toward your future.

1. Create and Follow a Good Budget

This is the first step to being financially stable. The key to budgeting is to not spend more than you earn. Planning out a budget can help you spend less money at stops and online and can help you see where all your money goes. To start budgeting, add up your monthly income. If your pay varies, average it out to what you usually make each month by looking at the past 4 months.

After figuring out your take home for the month, make a list of mandatory expenses i.e. food, rent, insurance. One of the easiest things you can do when you’re budgeting is to set up your bills automatically. This way you won’t forget any bills that are coming up. You can also set an alarm on your phone to remind you of an upcoming bill so you won’t be alarmed as to why your account is missing $200 from checking.

2. Get a Checkbook App

With technology looming in our hands every day, you can now budget easier. Downloading a checkbook app on your smartphone will give you the ability to keep track of daily purchases as well as reoccurring bills. With the help of the app, you’ll be able to know what’s in your account at all times. There are a number of apps you can download to help you follow your budget, such as You Need a Budget. It’s one thing to create a budget, it’s another thing to stick to it. Don’t be afraid to try something new to see what works best for you.

3. Skip Fast Food

As convenient as it is, fast food is a major drain on your account. You never really know how much you really spend on it until your paycheck is all gone. Not only is it expensive, but it’s also unhealthy. To help you save on fast food, invest in a mini fridge. It may seem like a costly expense, but being able to load it with groceries and fresh foods will help you in the long term. Think of it this way – would you rather spend $100 in unhealthy fast food each week or $40 on healthy food?

4. Take Advantage of Deals

Most grocery stores and truck stops have reward cards for people who frequently shop with them. Because most reward cards give the users points for using cards, you will be able to save on gas, food, and even coffee. The reward cards are free to get and undoubtedly save you money while you’re on the road.

5. Use Your Emergency Fund Wisely

Emergency funds are vital. They can help you if you’re in a jam on the road or at home. Once the fund is started, it must be used wisely. To know if you’re using it wisely, just ask yourself this – is this an emergency? If that’s even a question, chances are it’s not an emergency.

With these simple tricks, your budget will start in the right direction. Continue doing these 5 things and in a few months, you’ll see a progression you can be proud of. If you have any questions on what you should be doing to keep your company going, give us a call at (866) 574-2978!