5 Money-Saving Tips for Truck Drivers on the Road
Looking to lower your expenses when you are on the road? We get it. It can be challenging to not run out of money when you need to pay for food, gas, and showers. But, you have the ability to change that.
If you stick to a budget, you can save better and keep that hard-earned money. Read these 5 easy ways to save money when you are on the road and live comfortably.
1. Make a Budget
In order to stick to a budget, create a budget that you can hold yourself accountable. One way you can start this is by creating an organized log so you can keep track of how much you are spending on food, gas, and tolls. Once you see how much you are purchasing daily, weekly, or monthly, you will start to notice how you can allocate budgeting for each category.
Let's use food for example. Let's say you plan for $200 a month for food. You can log and track how much you are spending on groceries, food when you are on the go, fuel, and such. This can determine how you can save if you are close to your monthly budget or if you are budgeting well!
2. Pack Your Meals
Speaking of food, consider preparing your own food for the long haul. Food is the biggest expense for the truck driver, but you can budget better by meal prepping your own food. According to AOL Finance, "a meal costs $5 to $7 at a fast food restaurant, but the cost of cooking at home averages out to $1.50 to $3 per person." You can easily save money by investing in your own meals, and eat healthier.
Not only this, you can even invest in a reusable bottle because there are gas stations that offer drink discounts. To avoid spending half your paycheck on food, check out 6 types of truck driver cooking appliances that will make your life easier. Fun fact, you can invest in a Keurig!
3. Ask about CDL Discounts and Get your Rewards
You already have your CDL, so why not put it to good use? Chances are there will be hotels and restaurants that have CDL discounts. Flash your CDL and you might get some discounts!
Not only that, most truck stops offer rewards cards and loyalty programs. These are usually free to sign up, and you can get a lot of discounts on many things such as fuel, coffee, food, showers, and more! Take advantage of this opportunity because you can potentially save up for $1,000-$3,000 per year.
4. Use the Free Wifi
Eliminate using so much data on your phone, and use the free Wifi that many public places are offering. It is getting more common to have free Wifi in more places like truck stops, coffee places, and restaurants. Don't be shy to ask for the Wifi password, and use the free service so you can stay for a while!
5. Cut Down on Laundry
Unfortunately, laundry isn't cheap on the road as it can take a toll on your wallet. Cut down on laundry expenses by packing more clean clothes so you do not have to use the laundromat multiple times a week. If you pack more clothes, you can have the option to wash all your clothes at once.
